The first round of the 2025 Masters is right around the corner, and we've got you covered with everything from holes to watch, sleepers and Rory McIlroy's mindset leading up to the first major championship of the season. Let's dive into the field and power rank the top 10 players teeing it up at Augusta National Golf Club.
Niemann is a tough player to rank right now. The talented Chilean has already won twice on the LIV Golf League this year, giving him six worldwide wins since December 2023, but he has just one top-20 finish in 22 career major championship starts.
Henley doesn't get enough credit for how consistent he's been over the last two years. The 35-year-old has recorded 24 top-20 finishes since the 2023 Masters, and he scored his fifth career PGA Tour win earlier this year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Starting times and groupings for the first and second rounds of the 89th Masters Tournament. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025
Thomas surprisingly hasn't won a tournament since the 2022 PGA Championship, but he's still one of the best tee-to-green players in the world. He ranks eighth on the PGA Tour this season in total strokes gained, 10th in scoring average and second in birdies per round. With two runner-up finishes already this year, Thomas is due for a win soon.
Schauffele would normally be higher on this list, but he's still shaking off the rust from a rib injury that knocked him out for two months earlier this year. The World No. 3 is hitting his irons well and is coming off his best finish of the season (T12) at the Valspar Championship, but his driving accuracy and short game aren't where they need to be heading to Augusta.
A tantalizing talent who scored the biggest win of his career at the Genesis Invitational in February, Aberg is ready to compete for major championships in 2025. The rising star finished runner-up in his Masters debut last season.
DeChambeau is arguably the best driver of the golf ball in the world, which gives him a distinct advantage on these long, difficult golf courses that host major championships. Coming off a win, a runner-up and a T6 in the majors last year, DeChambeau expects to add another trophy to his growing collection in 2025.
Rahm has been incredibly consistent on LIV with two wins and 16 top-10 finishes in 17 starts. The Spaniard missed the U.S. Open last year and underperformed in the other three major championships, but he deserves top-five respect as a two-time major champion and former No. 1 player in the world.
Morikawa is in a similar boat to Thomas, as he consistently racks up top-10 finishes but has just one win since 2021. Still, Morikawa is the best iron player in the world right now, so he deserves the No. 3 spot behind the two big guns.
Rory McIlroy reflects on what this week means. #themasters pic.twitter.com/OILQzy2eOd
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025
McIlroy could argue he should be No. 1 on this list after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship this year, but he's more worried about conquering his Masters demons and ending his 11-year major drought. This has to be the year for him.
Scheffler will remain at the top until he gives us any reason to drop him down a notch. The World No. 1 won nine times last season and is going for his third green jacket in four years. Scheffler is clearly the man to beat at Augusta this season.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!