Tag: the masters

Early 2026 Golf Major Predictions

Posted on by Ivana Miteva
Golf Major Predictions for 2026

The Masters

Location: Augusta National

Winner: Rory McIlroy

After conquering Augusta at last in 2025, Rory McIlroy heads back as a Masters champion. With a different locker room and a completely different mindset, Rory will be looking to go back-to-back. He is playing with no pressure on his shoulders. And a free Rory is dangerous, especially at Augusta, a place that brought him so much disappointment for years.

I expect a Rory vs Scottie Scheffler showdown. And I think Rory will come out on top.

Watch out for: Xander Schauffele

After an injury driven 2025 season, the two-time major champion will be looking to move one step closer to completing the career Grand Slam. His record at Augusta speaks for itself. He had five top ten finishes in his last seven Masters appearances.

Schauffele is a proven high-pressure performer. And he is someone to watch early in the season as we see where his game stands following a long offseason focused on recovery from his 2025 setbacks.

PGA Championship

Location: Aronimink Golf Club

Winner: Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau’s last five PGA Championship finishes are T4, T38, T4, 2nd, and T2. The LIV Golf and YouTube star clearly loves the PGA Championship. His power combined with his unique approach to course management could be a major advantage at Aronimink.

The course setup is expected to feature thick, lush May rough, something Bryson has the strength to power his way out of. The rough will be extremely difficult, and officials will hope to have the course playing hard and fast if the weather cooperates.

If Bryson can get the Philly crowd behind him while in contention on Sunday, I believe he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Watch out for: Marco Penge

This is a bold call, but Penge has serious power in his game. Length and power are key traits for competing in PGA Championships. Not many players possess more of it than the up-and-coming PGA Tour recruit Marco Penge.

I think we could see him near the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round. Although, he may fade slightly due to his lack of experience in major championships. Still, he unquestionably has the game to compete against the strongest fields in the world.

U.S Open

Location: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Winner: Scottie Scheffler

Will Scottie Scheffler complete the Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills? I absolutely think he will, and I do not believe there is a U.S Open course better suited to his game. He is a generational talent and a relentless competitor. Perfectly built for the demands of Shinnecock Hills.

Watch out for: Brooks Koepka

Koepka won the 2018 U.S Open at Shinnecock Hills with a final score of plus one. He is a grinder and a big game player, and following his recent departure from LIV Golf, I believe he will be refreshed and motivated to compete again in major championships.

Whether he returns through the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour, assuming his eligibility can be resolved, it is something to watch closely. A well prepared and under the radar Koepka is a threat in any field. With both Koepka and Rory McIlroy sitting on five major championships, it will be interesting to see who lands the next blow as they enter the next stage of their careers.

A tough and windy course brings out the best iron players in the world, and when Brooks’ game is in the right place, he is one of them. He hunts major championships.

The Open Championship

Location: Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Winner: Tommy Fleetwood

A hometown hero story? You would love to see it. Tommy Fleetwood grew up in the Southport area. And naturally, a home Open Championship arriving at the peak of his career feels like the perfect recipe for success. I am hopeful the stars will align.

Royal Birkdale is far more than just another venue for Fleetwood. It is an area where his dreams of being a golfer started and a place he knows out of the back of his hand.

It is a huge year for Tommy after winning the FedEx Cup in 2025, and the next missing piece in his trophy cabinet is a major championship. If everything comes together, Birkdale could be the perfect fairy tale.

Watch out for: Jordan Spieth

Known as a links master, Jordan Spieth won at Royal Birkdale in 2017 in spectacular fashion, hitting one of the most famous recovery shots in Open Championship history on the 13th hole after a wild drive. His game is one to watch this season.

Spieth has struggled with consistency in the past years. But there is hope for another spike in form. At 32 years old, many would say he should be entering a golden age for pro golfers. And playing on the English coast could bring back some of those unforgettable memories that made him a Champion Golfer of the Year in 2017.

Will Buttleman is VPAR’s Social Media and Events Manager.

A former professional cricketer, Will played for Essex County Cricket Club from 2018 to 2023 before joining the VPAR team in 2024. During his cricket career, he competed in First Class, List A, and T20 matches, contributing to the club’s recent successes.
Now, Will’s focus has shifted to golf. He plays off a VPAR Handicap of 4.5 and is aiming to reach scratch in the near future. His favourite course is Poppy Hills, a hidden gem just above Pebble Beach, and his top venue to work at is Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland.
Whether you’re seeking top golfing destinations, a fresh perspective on the ever-changing professional game, or betting tips for major events, Will offers valuable insights. For him, golf is more than just a sport – it’s a lifestyle, and he loves sharing that passion with the VPAR community.


Six Players to Monitor Before The Masters

Posted on by Ivana Miteva
the Masters golf players

Ludvig Åberg

Ludvig Åberg is the ideal modern-day golfer. He’s athletic, hits the ball long, straight, and doesn’t get fazed by the big occasions. He made his debut at Augusta National in 2024. And he did not disappoint, finishing solo second, which didn’t come as a surprise to me.

His game is perfectly suited to the course layout. And I don’t think there’s a better match-up to the course other than the reigning champion, Scottie Scheffler. He has won there twice in the past three years.

The main strength of his game is off the tee, where he ranked fifth last year at The Masters, according to Data Golf. However, the stat that caught my eye the most was that he was ranked first in strokes gained Putting. Arguably the most tested element of your game at Augusta.

The greens are huge, undulating, and absolutely rapid. So, to be ranked first in the field in your debut Masters is an eye-catching achievement. It suggests that he must feel comfortable with the pace of the greens, despite his limited experience. At Augusta National, combining a long, straight driver with someone who can precisely judge the greens is a match made in heaven.

Last week, he recorded his second PGA Tour win at The Genesis Invitational, held at Torrey Pines. I’ll be keeping a close eye on his performances over the next few events. I think he’ll be going into The Masters just behind Scottie Scheffler in the favourites market, maybe even as the favourite if he wins a tournament like The Players beforehand.

Joaquín Niemann

In 2022, Joaquín Niemann made the move to LIV Golf, but his decision was different from most players. He was a young player trending towards the top of his game. To be fair to him, his stock has risen since his move to LIV. He has won five times on three different tours worldwide since joining LIV. Also, he has gone out of his way to earn crucial world ranking points to qualify for all the major championships. Unlike other players on the LIV circuit.

For the second consecutive year, Niemann has received an invite to play in The Masters. This proves he has a real hunger to win major championships.

One of my starting points when looking for potential winners at Augusta National is players’ records at Riviera Country Club, where the Genesis Invitational is usually held. The similarities between the two venues, in terms of champions, are striking. Since 2000, winners at Riviera CC have included Mike Weir (back-to-back in 2003 and 2004), Adam Scott (2005 and 2020), Phil Mickelson (back-to-back in 2008 and 2009), Bubba Watson (2014, 2016, and 2018), Dustin Johnson (2017), Jon Rahm (2023), and Hideki Matsuyama (2024). All of these players are Masters champions.

This ties back to Niemann, who, in 2022, claimed a wire-to-wire win at the Genesis Invitational in a very strong field. He set the tournament scoring record through 36 holes and held on to claim his second PGA Tour victory. While his Masters record doesn’t yet boast much, he has made the cut four years in a row and has been trending in the right direction.

Personally, I believe his game has risen to a new level in the past year, evidenced by his recent win in front of 100,000 fans at LIV Adelaide. He’s definitely worth keeping an eye on in the coming months, especially with a chip on his shoulder.

Tyrrell Hatton

Tyrrell Hatton is a player known for winning big events. He has won five Rolex Series events on the DP World Tour, three Alfred Dunhill Links Championships at St Andrews, the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour, and two Ryder Cups. That’s a very good career to date. However, he does not have the best major record. I think this will be Tyrrell’s year to really cement himself alongside the world’s best players and compete to win a major championship.

With Tyrrell’s links record, some would say his best chance to win a major would be The Open. But I see him as someone whose game should match up well with the test at Augusta National. With a T9 finish in 2024, his best finish at The Masters, I feel he could go one step further this year. He has a naturally high ball flight with his irons, which will aid his approach play when landing on the firm greens. Also, he has one of the best short games in the world. He was ranked fourth in Strokes Gained Around the Green and tenth in Tee to Green in last year’s tournament.

I don’t see a career where Tyrrell Hatton doesn’t end up winning a major championship. So, will he follow the likes of fellow Englishmen Nick Faldo and Danny Willett by winning a green jacket?

Russel Henley

Russell Henley is a very consistent player on the PGA Tour. He has won four times and doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game, other than driving distance. Henley ranked ninth in driving accuracy in 2024, hitting 69.49% of fairways, and he is also a very good wedge player.

He suits shorter courses, however, his major record has been excellent over the last few years, with a T4 in The Masters and a T14 in the U.S. Open in 2023, as well as a T7 in the U.S. Open and a solo 5th in The Open Championship in 2024. That’s a steady record, and I think he has a good chance of a top-ten finish at The Masters, especially if his putter starts heating up like it can in the lead-up to April.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka has long been considered one of the most formidable competitors in major championships. Known for his calmness under pressure, Koepka has earned a reputation for delivering his best golf when it matters most, often using events before the majors as preparation for the big one.

Whatever his form is statistically beforehand, it’s almost irrelevant to how he turns it on when major season arrives. He is a five-time major champion and has made it clear that he judges his career on how many majors he can tick off.

Augusta National is a course where he has shown glimpses of brilliance, but he has also shown inconsistency. In 2019, he finished T2; in 2020, he finished T7; and in 2023, T2. He has proven that he has both the game and the mindset to win The Masters. I’m sure he’ll be in contention again going into the final round in the near future. He needs to win The Masters to get one step closer to the Grand Slam.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on Brooks’ form on the LIV Tour over the next few months to see how he’s preparing, but don’t be fooled if he’s not performing. His mind switches when the big tournaments come around!

Will Zalatoris

2024 was a tough season for Will Zalatoris after being sidelined for much of the year due to injury. However, he is back for 2025 and stronger than ever. He added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Zalatoris’ major record is very impressive, especially at The Masters. In 2020, he finished T6 at the U.S. Open.

In 2021, he finished solo second in The Masters on debut, T8 in the PGA Championship, and, most impressively, in 2022, he finished T6 in The Masters, solo second in the PGA Championship, and T2 in the U.S. Open. Last year, he also finished T9 at The Masters. He has a solid record at Riviera as well, which correlates well with Augusta National, as mentioned in the case of Joaquín Niemann.

To have a solo second, T6, and T9 in your first three Masters appearances is a record that deserves more recognition. His major resume is near immaculate. One of those results will surely turn into a major win very soon. He will likely be viewed as an outsider in the betting market this year. This makes his value even greater. I’ll be keeping an eye on his progress on the PGA Tour leading up to The Masters. I believe history will repeat itself.

Will Buttleman is VPAR’s Social Media and Events Manager.

A former professional cricketer, Will played for Essex County Cricket Club from 2018 to 2023 before joining the VPAR team in 2024. During his cricket career, he competed in First Class, List A, and T20 matches, contributing to the club’s recent successes.
Now, Will’s focus has shifted to golf. He plays off a VPAR Handicap of 4.5 and is aiming to reach scratch in the near future. His favourite course is Poppy Hills, a hidden gem just above Pebble Beach, and his top venue to work at is Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland.
Whether you’re seeking top golfing destinations, a fresh perspective on the ever-changing professional game, or betting tips for major events, Will offers valuable insights. For him, golf is more than just a sport – it’s a lifestyle, and he loves sharing that passion with the VPAR community.

My First Predictions for the 2025 Major Championships

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

The Masters 

April 10th-13th 2025 at Augusta National Golf Club

I have predicted my winner of The Masters 2025 already. I can’t see much changing my mind from now until April. That player is the Swedish superstar Ludvig Aberg. He had his first taste of major championship golf this year. He learnt so many lessons from the experiences and positions he put himself in. He could have won The Masters and The US Open. But, there were the errors he made on the 11th hole at Augusta in Round 4 and the 13th hole at Pinehurst No.2 in Round 3.

He has learnt from these mistakes now and must have grown as a player by experiencing them at such an early stage in his career. It can only do him good in my opinion. I feel he will be one of the only players to be able to compete week in, week out with the two at the top of the game, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. Augusta National is set up for Aberg to relish. His driving capabilities plotted around the course with real ease and he seemed to really enjoy the pace of the greens throughout the week. Nothing seemed to faze him!

Source: Pexels Images

PGA Championship

May15th-18th 2025 at Quail Hollow Golf Club

The player I think is going to win the PGA Championship 2025 has a ridiculously strong record at Quail Hollow. He won four times at the North Carolina course. Rory McIlroy has a real love affair with the place and I can see him finally securing another major after an 11 year draught. With what happened at the US Open this year, I do feel that most golf fans have lost hope on Rory in the major championships and I think this is the best thing for him.

He has hit rock bottom and now he can play with the freedom he needs to get over the line. He will not hit a lower point in his career than where he was at Pinehurst No.2. It’s not possible. He definitely has more majors in him, and maybe a win at the PGA Championship will kickstart another major run which we all want to see happen. It would be amazing for the game of golf!

US Open

June 12th-15th at Oakmont Country Club

Xander Schauffele has a ridiculous US Open record. It’s insane to think he has not already won a US Open title with the consistency he has shown. After winning two majors in a breakout year in 2024,  I think he will finally get over the line at Oakmont. Schauffele suits most course types. He hardly has a weakness which is why he can tackle any type of US Open. Below are Schauffele’s US Open finishes:

2017 – T5

2018 – T6

2019 – T3

2020 – 5th

2021 – T7

2022 – T14

2023 – T10

2024 – T7

This level of consistency on some of the toughest challenges in golf has to eventually lead into a win, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be in 2025!

The Open Championship

July 17th-20th at Royal Portrush Golf Club

I’m picking someone rather rogue to win at Royal Portrush. He has been far from his best for years now. But every time an Open Championship comes around, I think of Royal Birkdale in 2017. Jordan Spieth’s golf game is built for links golf. He is creative, his short game is magical and he is a competitor in all conditions. He’s recently had surgery in his wrist and is having some time off to recover. This will be a reset button for Spieth and he will enjoy a fresh start in January.

2025 is a home Ryder Cup year for the USA and they will need Spieth to be at his best for it. This will motivate him and I think it’s about time we started to see him competing again, especially in the major championships, where he entertained golf fans so early in his career. Links golf in Northern Ireland is as good as it gets, and I can’t think of anyone better to rise to the occasion more than a healthy and motivated Jordan Spieth.

Will Buttleman is VPAR’s Social Media and Events Manager.

A former professional cricketer, Will played for Essex County Cricket Club from 2018 to 2023 before joining the VPAR team in 2024. During his cricket career, he competed in First Class, List A, and T20 matches, contributing to the club’s recent successes.
Now, Will’s focus has shifted to golf. He plays off a VPAR Handicap of 4.5 and is aiming to reach scratch in the near future. His favourite course is Poppy Hills, a hidden gem just above Pebble Beach, and his top venue to work at is Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland.
Whether you’re seeking top golfing destinations, a fresh perspective on the ever-changing professional game, or betting tips for major events, Will offers valuable insights. For him, golf is more than just a sport – it’s a lifestyle, and he loves sharing that passion with the VPAR community.