My Pick – The 2025 Masters

It’s been a while since I’ve made bold predictions for The Masters. So, I’ve decided to do it for the 2025 Masters. The last time that I did this, I correctly predicted that Patrick Reed would win. Much to most golf fans’ chagrin, Reed came through.

When making picks it’s so difficult not to make picks with my heart. I’d love to pick a fellow Canadian being the flag waver that I am and choose Corey Conners. I love his action. Corey has the overall game that makes him a threat to best ANGC and The Masters field. If I were a gambler and had a spare “hundo” I’d place a “Sir Robert Borden” wager for Conners to win. Conners enters The Masters with +7500 odds to win.

Another pick with my heart would be Rory McIlroy. Rory’s still searching for the Major Grand Slam and only Augusta National Golf Club stands in his way. To a certain degree one could suggest that Rory himself also stands in his way. Oh what could’ve been in 2011. Ever since, the Northern Irishman has been looking to slay that demon. Whether it’s skewed or not, the OWGR #2 has been playing great golf in 2025. He won a “Signature Event” (Pebble Beach Pro-Am) and finds himself sitting in first place in FedEx Cup points. Rory will finish in the Top 5. As much as I want him to win, I don’t think 2025 is his year. There’s always that one derailing round.

Picking Scottie Scheffler would be like cherry-picking. It’s clear that he’s won The Masters. We all know he’s won it twice over the last three years. The outlier in between was a “lowly” T10. The top player in the world knows Augusta National about as well as he knows Texas barbecue. Statistically speaking, 2025 hasn’t been overly inspirational or “Scheffler-esque.” or is it just “smoke and mirrors?” Then again, Scottie does have three Top 10’s in 6 starts in 2025. Moreover, Scheffler is coming off of a very strong showing at last week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. Does anything before The Masters even count? It’s now officially “Major Season”. He’s poised to win and could very well repeat.

Like them or not – it’s not for me to judge – LIV Golf has plenty of firepower in attendance at ANGC. In 2024, LIV players had some great finishes in Major tournaments in 2024. Remember, these guys aren’t supposed to have the physical or mental stamina to last four rounds (insert roll of the eyes here). Several players from the Saudi-backed golf circuit are among some of the Vegas betting favourites. In my opinion, players within +3500 are all strong picks that could win. Among them are Joaquin Niemann, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau.

So, who’s my pick. This pick is not an “off-the-radar” choice by any means. Collin Morikawa is my choice to with the 2025 Masters. In 2025, Morikawa has started in 5 events. Out of those 5 events he’s made the cut in all of them. Out of those 5 events, 3 are Top-10 finishes which also includes 2 runner-up finishes. Morikawa has the game to tame ANGC. Statically speaking, Morikawa is among the PGA TOUR leaders in several key statistics. Ranking 2nd in Total Strokes Gained, 1st Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green, 1st Strokes Gained Approach-to-Green, 1st Proximity to the Hole, 4th in Driving Accuracy, 9th in Greens in Regulation, 5th in Putting Average, and 3rd in Birdie or Better Conversion. Morikawa has a history of playing well at The Masters and this year will be no different.

Just because…

Who doesn’t love a “dark horse”? “Cinderella story… outta nowhere.” My dark horse favourite this week to win is none other than Jake Knapp. A winner on the PGA TOUR, Knapp enters his first Masters with odds of +35000 to win.

Bernhard Langer makes his 41st and final start at The Masters. Look for the legend to cause a stir Thursday and Friday. Langer will make the cut this week. Oh, and look for Langer to wear red this week replicating his winning apparel scripting from 1985. Langer will also be wearing a yellow polo and green pants Friday to match his winning 1993 Sunday outfit.

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee