The build-up to The Masters has been a rocky road for the PGA Tour’s superstars.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler haven’t played since The Players Championship, where both put in lacklustre performances.
McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational a week prior with a back injury, and after The Players, hasn’t played in a single event before The Masters. The Northern Irishman typically likes to play in an event in the weeks leading up to a major, but this time he’s prioritised his health.
As for Scheffler, the world number one withdrew from the Houston Open field last week and will also not have played in an event between The Players and The Masters. That’s a surprise to all, considering his mediocre form over the last two months.
The lack of playing action for the world number one and two has opened the door for LIV Golf at The Masters.
How Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler’s schedule has thrown away advantage over LIV Golf
There were several factors working against LIV Golf players at major championships last year. They played a different format to the major championships on LIV, and their scheduling makes it difficult for them to find consistency in their game.
That led to all four majors being won by PGA Tour players, as Scheffler, McIlroy and JJ Spaun swept up the honours.
LIV responded by switching to a more traditional 72-hole format. This decision has been immediately validated, as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have led the leaderboard in every event so far.
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But their other disadvantage remains. LIV’s most recent event in South Africa took place three weeks before The Masters, so Rahm, DeChambeau and the other players competing on the Saudi-backed league will have a long wait between professional tournaments.
McIlroy and Scheffler’s scheduling will be music to Rahm and DeChambeau’s ears then. The PGA Tour superstars had the benefit of being able to keep their games sharp in the build-up to the year’s first major, but that is no longer the case.
Last year, McIlroy was able to stay red hot with a top-five finish at the Houston Open, and he was used to playing in 72-hole events. Those advantages allowed him to see off DeChambeau on Sunday.
Now those edges have been removed, so LIV Golf will be confident that one of their stars can claim a Green Jacket this year.
Why Jon Rahm is best positioned to win The Masters
Rahm has a proven track record at Augusta National, having won the Green Jacket before, and he’s the best-placed player on LIV to win The Masters this year.
After a winless 2025, Rahm is back to his very best this year. He’s finished in the top two in four of his five events on LIV this year, winning in LIV Hong Kong.
This form should surprise no one. Rahm has been calling for LIV to change its format for years, and now that they finally have, he’s been the biggest beneficiary. The extra round of play allows the cream to rise to the top, and Rahm’s consistency has shone through.
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Rahm is now well-used to playing four gruelling days of golf in a way that he wasn’t last year, and that’s a great sign heading into Augusta. And while DeChambeau won the last two events on LIV, Rahm is the safe bet to win The Masters.
DeChambeau has proven that when his game is at its best, he’s ideally suited to Augusta. His long drives make par fives play like par fours, and he’s able to overpower the golf course. But when he loses his irons, as he is prone to do, disaster strikes.
That was clear at last year’s event. DeChambeau struggled with a left miss throughout Sunday and shot a final round 75 to fall out of contention.
Rahm is a much more consistent ball striker and also possesses enough distance off the tee to contend with DeChambeau and McIlroy. Judging by his 2026 form, he should be the favourite to win it this year.
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