The 2026 Masters featured a strong field and produced results that reflected both expectation and surprise. Several top-ranked players stayed near the top of the leaderboard and played at a high level throughout the week. At the same time, a few unexpected names moved into contention and challenged the usual order.
A closer look at the results shows how pre-tournament odds compared with actual performance at Augusta National. Some favorites delivered consistent play and justified their rankings, while others struggled early and never recovered. A mix of reliable performances and unexpected outcomes shaped how the tournament unfolded from start to finish.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler entered the tournament as the clear favorite, with Masters odds placing him around +500 to +550 before play began. He performed at a level that matched those expectations, staying consistent throughout the week and positioning himself as a strong contender heading into the final rounds. His ability to control mistakes and remain composed under pressure kept him within reach of the lead.
He finished in second place at eleven under par, narrowly missing out on the win despite a historic performance. Scheffler became the first player since 1942 to go bogey-free over the weekend at the Masters, which nearly allowed him to overtake the leader. Even without the victory, his performance reinforced his status as one of the most dependable players in the field.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy came into Augusta with odds between +1175 and +1300 and quickly showed why he was among the top contenders. He dominated the first two rounds and built a six-shot advantage, the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history. That early control gave him a cushion, but it did not make the rest of the tournament easy.
He finished at twelve under par to win by a single shot, but the path to victory required adjustment. A slower performance on Saturday cut into his lead and brought several players back into contention. Instead of collapsing, he steadied his game on Sunday and did just enough to stay ahead, securing another Masters title under pressure.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm entered the Masters with pre-tournament odds between +900 and +1000 and was widely backed as a strong contender. Much of that confidence came from his recent form on the LIV Golf circuit, where he had been playing consistently well leading into the event. Expectations were high that he would carry that level of performance into Augusta.
That momentum did not translate during the tournament, as an opening round of 78 immediately put him behind the field. Recovering from that start proved difficult, and he never managed to move into contention. He finished tied for 38th at one over par, making him one of the more notable underperformers among the favorites.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton entered the tournament with long-shot odds ranging from +5000 to +8000 and was viewed by some as a fade given his past struggles at Augusta National. His course history did not inspire much confidence compared to others in the field, which kept expectations relatively low. As a result, he was not widely considered a serious contender heading into the week.
He changed that narrative quickly with a standout performance, including a flawless Friday round where he hit all 18 greens in regulation on his way to a 66. That round helped push him up the leaderboard and into contention. Hatton went on to finish tied for third at ten under par, making him one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
Jake Knapp
Coverage leading into the event focused heavily on top contenders, but some platforms that track betting trends and player value offered a wider view of the field. FanDuel Research, which provides updates, insights, and analysis across sports, is one example of a source that highlights players in this range. Jake Knapp came into the Masters as a deep sleeper with odds ranging from +6600 to +7000.
He was not part of the main conversation before the tournament, especially given that this was just his second appearance at Augusta. Most expectations focused on whether he could hold his own against a strong field. Instead, he delivered a composed and efficient performance that stood out across four rounds. Knapp finished 11th at seven under par and quietly outplayed several major champions along the way.
What the Odds Got Right and Wrong
Pre-tournament odds correctly identified several players who stayed competitive during the week. However, they did not account for the fact that some top players struggled early and fell out of contention. While recent form influenced expectations, it did not always match actual performance at Augusta. At the same time, several lower-ranked players stepped up and finished near the top. This gap between expectation and result shows that outcomes can shift quickly once the tournament begins.
