McIlroy Defends Masters Title, Scheffler Favored

Rory McIlroy aims to repeat as champion at Augusta National after a decade of Grand Slam questions

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective view of a golfer's swing and the iconic Augusta National clubhouse, rendered in vibrant shades of green, white, and blue.The Masters tournament at Augusta National promises a clash of golf's elite, with defending champion Rory McIlroy and rising star Scottie Scheffler both vying for the coveted green jacket.Augusta Today

Rory McIlroy arrives at the 2026 Masters tournament as the defending champion, marking the first time in over 10 years he is not facing constant questions about completing the career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite to win the prestigious major at Augusta National Golf Club.

Why it matters

McIlroy's victory last year ended a long drought without a Masters title, and his ability to defend the championship will be closely watched as he seeks to cement his legacy. Scheffler's status as the betting favorite underscores his rise to the top of the sport in recent years.

The details

McIlroy finally broke through at the Masters in 2025 after years of falling short, giving him all four major championship titles and completing the career Grand Slam. This year, he arrives at Augusta National without the burden of those persistent questions about the one major he was missing from his resume.

  • The 2026 Masters tournament takes place from April 10-13 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
  • McIlroy won the 2025 Masters, his first victory at the event.

The players

Rory McIlroy

The defending Masters champion, who finally won the tournament in 2025 to complete the career Grand Slam.

Scottie Scheffler

The current betting favorite to win the 2026 Masters, reflecting his rise to the top of professional golf in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“Rory has proven he has the game to win at Augusta, and now that he's got that monkey off his back, he can just go out and play his game without all the pressure.”

— Justin Thomas, PGA Tour Player

“Scottie has been the most consistent player on Tour the last couple years, so it's no surprise he's the favorite this week. But you can never count out a champion like Rory, especially at a place he's now conquered.”

— Xander Schauffele, PGA Tour Player

What’s next

The first round of the 2026 Masters will tee off on Thursday, April 10, setting the stage for four days of competition at Augusta National.

The takeaway

With Rory McIlroy finally conquering his Masters demons and Scottie Scheffler emerging as the new betting favorite, this year's tournament at Augusta promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of the game's top stars.