What Would a Win at the Masters Mean for the Top Players?

The gates to Augusta National are open once again, and with them comes the return of one of sport’s most iconic traditions—The Masters Tournament. The azaleas are blooming, the roars will soon echo through Amen Corner, and the pressure of chasing a green jacket will be at an all-time high. This year’s field is absolutely stacked, and the narratives are some of the juiciest we’ve seen in years. From generational talents looking to etch their names further into golf lore, to hungry stars on the brink of career-changing wins, the 2025 Masters has the potential to reshape the trajectory of multiple careers. Every player dreams of slipping on the green jacket, but for the six betting favorites, winning at Augusta this year could mean something more—something historic.

Scottie Scheffler (+450) – The Champ is Here

Scottie Scheffler enters this week as the odds-on favorite to win for a good reason. The world number one has already proven he’s built for Augusta, capturing his first green jacket in 2022 and his second just last year. If he can do it again in 2025, he would become only the fourth player in history to successfully defend a Masters title, and only the ninth to win at least three green jackets. At just 28 years old, a third Masters title would fast-track him into the upper echelon of all-time greats and possibly mark the beginning of a Scheffler-era of dominance. Winning again this week wouldn’t just be another victory—it would be a historic legacy-defining moment that echoes for decades.

Rory McIlroy (+650) – The Slam, the Drought, and the Dream

Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited pursuit of the career Grand Slam continues, but to accomplish that amazing feat, he’ll have to do it at the one place that’s been his Achilles’ heel, Augusta National. It’s the only Major that has eluded him, and each year the pressure seems to build just a little more. The Northern Irishman has now gone 11 years without winning a Major Championship, an astonishing drought for someone widely considered one of the most naturally gifted golfers of his generation. Winning the Masters this year wouldn’t just be historic—it would be emotional, redemptive, and perhaps the most meaningful win of his storied career. It would complete his Grand Slam, silence years of doubts, and cement his place in the pantheon of golf’s greatest.

Collin Morikawa (+1400) – From Close Calls to the Champion’s Cabin

Collin Morikawa has been flirting with greatness at Augusta for three straight years, finishing tied for fifth, T10, and tied for third. Despite his consistent brilliance, he hasn’t lifted a trophy at any event since 2023, which makes him one of the most talented players in the world without a recent win. A Masters win would change all of that—instantly. It would give him a third Major Championship, bring him within one win shy of the career Grand Slam, and validate the consistency he’s shown on the sport’s biggest stage. For Morikawa, it would be the long-overdue payoff to years of elite ball striking and quiet determination, finally turning close calls into a career-changing victory.

Jon Rahm (+1600) – A Statement for LIV and a Champion’s Return

Jon Rahm is back at Augusta as a past champion and as the face of LIV Golf. Since his controversial move from the PGA Tour in late 2023, critics have questioned whether the competitive edge would still be there—Augusta gives him the perfect opportunity to answer. A second green jacket in three years would not only solidify his standing among the game’s greats but also send a clear message that LIV players can still compete and win on one of the sport’s biggest stages. For Rahm, it’s personal, professional, and symbolic all at once. Winning again would remind the world that regardless of where he plays, he’s still one of the most dangerous names in golf.

Bryson DeChambeau (+1600) – Content Creator or Major Champion?

There’s no denying that, over the years, Bryson DeChambeau has become one of the most polarizing figures in golf, thanks in part to his approach to the game and his transformation into a content creator off the course. The main difference between him and other content creators is that he’s also a two-time Major winner who’s shown he can contend on golf’s biggest stages. He proved that last year by finishing tied for sixth at the Masters, finishing second at the PGA Championship, and winning the U.S. Open Championship. A 2025 Masters win would give him his third Major title and instantly shift the conversation back to his game, not just his YouTube uploads. It would also show that his unique approach—data-driven, power-focused, and unapologetically different—can thrive at one of the most traditional courses and tournaments in the world. For Bryson, a green jacket would be a statement win and a defining moment in a career that’s been anything but conventional.

Ludvig Aberg (+1800) – The New Star Ready to Break Through

Ludvig Aberg might not have the Major hardware or experience like the other betting favorites, but he has all the tools to make Augusta his breakout party. In just his second Masters appearance, he’s already considered one of the most complete young players in the world. Winning this week would be monumental—not only would it be his first Major, but it would also officially announce his arrival amongst golf’s elite. Few players in recent memory have had such a quick rise, and a green jacket would fast-track him into superstardom. For Aberg, this would be the moment where potential becomes undeniable greatness.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Masters is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable tournaments in recent memory—not just because of who might win, but because of what that win would mean. Every featured player here has the chance to rewrite their story in a single week. Whether it’s legacy-defining dominance from Scheffler, long-awaited validation for McIlroy or Morikawa, or a star-making turn from Aberg, Augusta is ready to deliver. The roars, the drama, the emotion—it’s all on deck. When that final putt drops on Sunday, someone’s life will change forever. It truly is a tradition unlike any other.