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Who are the patrons picking? We asked them for a 2026 Masters winner
TL;DR
The 2026 Masters Tournament is currently taking place in Augusta, Georgia, with patrons speculating on potential winners. Notable contenders include Rory McIlroy, who aims to defend his title, and Scottie Scheffler, who seeks to become a three-time champion.
Who are the patrons picking? We asked them for a 2026 Masters winner
AUGUSTA, Ga. ― Sunday at the 2026 Masters Tournament is underway.
As previous Masters' final rounds have shown us before, anything can happen at Augusta on a Sunday. Rory McIlroy can be the first to successfully defend his title since Tiger Woods in 2001-02. Scottie Scheffler can join rarified air as a three-time Masters champion, or a new face could emerge as the recipient of a green jacket.
More: Masters leaderboard, scores, pairings, videos, more
While we regularly make predictions in these circumstances, we tried something a bit different. We walked around the course Sunday morning and polled 167 Masters patrons. Who do they believe will don the green jacket by day's end?
Find out the results of the poll below. As one would expect, the usual suspects came up early and often; but some of the answers may surprise you.
Patrons look at the Masters scoreboard at the end of the round during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
The sea of green chairs around the 18th green ahead of the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Jake Knapp takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
The 10th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Tommy Fleetwood lines up his shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Ian Finnis, Tommy Fleetwood’s caddie, waits in the walkway after the fourth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Patrick Reed takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Collin Morikawa plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Brooks Koepka high-fives Mary Bracken Green, 10, of Augusta, as he walks to the fifth tee box during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Wyndham Clark plays a shot from the pine straw on the third hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li walk up the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Patrons look at the Masters scoreboard at the end of the round during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Patrons look at the Masters scoreboard at the end of the round during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
The sea of green chairs around the 18th green ahead of the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Jake Knapp takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
The 10th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Who are the patrons picking? We asked them for a 2026 Masters winner
Tommy Fleetwood lines up his shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Ian Finnis, Tommy Fleetwood’s caddie, waits in the walkway after the fourth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Patrick Reed takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Collin Morikawa plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Brooks Koepka high-fives Mary Bracken Green, 10, of Augusta, as he walks to the fifth tee box during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Wyndham Clark plays a shot from the pine straw on the third hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Photos: Masters 2026 final round Sunday at Augusta National
Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li walk up the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Which player patrons believe will win the 2026 Masters
1 ― Cameron Young (68 votes)
“More momentum than Rory”
“Rory’s gonna meltdown.”
“Went to Mass this morning, God’s gonna honor that.”
“I may be biased, because I’m a Wake Forest grad and my son is about to go there.” ― Henry Garrard of Athens, Georgia.
Live updates: Masters leaderboard, scores, pairings for the final round
2 ― Rory McIlroy (42)
“More used to pressure, but he could also blow it.”
3 ― Scottie Scheffler (19)
“Seemed very confident.”
4 ― Justin Rose (13)
“Got money on him” (most people who picked him said it’s because they bet on him for the good odds)
“Just hope it’s not a playoff.”
Live updates: We're tracking all the Sunday shots by Rory McIlroy
5 ― Sam Burns (11)
“Best putter on the PGA Tour.” ― Johnny O’Keafe of Augusta
Others receiving votes
Tiger Woods (2 ... Woods' last Masters start came in 2024)
Jason Day (2)
Shane Lowry (2)
Patrick Reed (2)
Jack Nickalus (1 ... Nicklaus' last competitive Masters was in 2005)
Michael Brennan (1)
Wyndham Clark (1)
Max Homa (1)
Adam Scott (1)
Jason Spieth (1 ... “Only because his sponsor is AT&T” ― Rob Smith from Cumming, Georgia.)
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2026 fans predictions ahead of Sunday's final round at Augusta
Q&A
Who are the top contenders for the 2026 Masters Tournament?
Top contenders include Rory McIlroy, aiming to defend his title, and Scottie Scheffler, who is looking to win his third Masters.
When is the 2026 Masters Tournament scheduled?
The 2026 Masters Tournament is currently underway, taking place in Augusta, Georgia.
What is significant about Rory McIlroy's potential win at the 2026 Masters?
If Rory McIlroy wins, he would be the first player to successfully defend his title since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
How many Masters championships has Scottie Scheffler won?
Scottie Scheffler has the opportunity to win his third Masters championship at the 2026 tournament.
