Masters 2026: How Long Since Major Winners' Last Triumph

Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and other top players seek to end lengthy major droughts at Augusta

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:41pm

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As the 2026 Masters approaches, many of golf's top stars are looking to end long waits between major championship victories. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and others have gone years without adding to their major title totals, despite being among the game's elite players. This story examines how long it's been since these notable players last won a major, and their prospects of ending those droughts at Augusta National.

Why it matters

With only four major championships contested each year, it's easy for the months between wins to turn into years, even for the game's best players. This story provides context on the major victory droughts facing some of golf's biggest names, and the significance a win at the Masters could hold for them in their quests to add to their legacies.

The details

Rory McIlroy ended a 10-year major championship drought by winning the 2025 Masters, completing the career Grand Slam. But many other top players are still seeking their first major title in years. Scottie Scheffler, the most recent major winner, claimed the 2025 Open Championship but has not won since. Xander Schauffele last won a major at the 2024 Open, while Bryson DeChambeau's most recent major triumph came at the 2024 U.S. Open. Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, and Jordan Spieth all have varying lengths of time since their last major victory, with Spieth's 2017 Open Championship win being the oldest on the list.

  • Rory McIlroy last won a major at the 2025 Masters.
  • Scottie Scheffler last won a major at the 2025 Open Championship.
  • Xander Schauffele last won a major at the 2024 Open Championship.
  • Bryson DeChambeau last won a major at the 2024 U.S. Open.
  • Jon Rahm last won a major at the 2023 Masters.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A four-time major champion who ended a 10-year drought by winning the 2025 Masters, completing the career Grand Slam.

Scottie Scheffler

The most recent major winner, claiming the 2025 Open Championship, and owns two of the last three major titles.

Xander Schauffele

A two-time major champion, having won the 2024 Open Championship, and is seeking to recapture that form at Augusta.

Bryson DeChambeau

The 2024 U.S. Open champion, who was in the final pairing at the Masters last year and is looking to close the deal this time.

Jon Rahm

The 2023 Masters champion, who has struggled since leaving for the LIV Golf tour but still has three top-10s in his last five majors.

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What they’re saying

“With only four opportunities a year to win, it's easy for the months between major wins to become years.”

— Jay Busbee, Author

What’s next

The 2026 Masters will be the next opportunity for these players to end their major championship droughts, with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and others among the favorites to claim the green jacket.

The takeaway

This year's Masters will feature a number of golf's biggest stars seeking to end lengthy waits between major victories, underscoring how difficult it can be to win the game's most prestigious titles, even for the elite players. A win at Augusta would be a significant milestone for any of these players as they look to cement their legacies.