Local golf pros share their picks for Masters glory – or heartache.
Whether they used their heads or their hearts to predict the winner of this year’s Masters Tournament, our favorite local golf pros brought their A game to the task.

Those who picked with their heads believe that Scottie Scheffler will add a third green jacket to his collection. Those who picked with their hearts think this is the year that Rory McIlroy will break through with a Masters victory to complete the career grand slam. While either player is a fine choice, plenty of other worthy golfers in the field hope to have something to say about the outcome.

We’ll see if the tournament favorites prove our experts right or if another golfer writes himself into the major championship history books.

Ted Lehmann
Teaching Instructor and PGA Professional, West Lake Country Club
(This is Ted’s first year participating in our poll.)
2025 Masters Champion: Scottie Scheffler. He is by far the best iron player on the PGA Tour.

Dark Horse: Hideki Matsuyama. He’s also a phenomenal iron player.

Low Newcomer: Joe Highsmith. He’s got a hot hand right now, and he showed a lot of moxie when he won his first tournament.

Low Senior: Angel Cabrera. He hits it far for his age.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Shockingly, Rory McIlroy. Even though he’s the best driver of the ball, he has issues with his iron game.

Toughest Hole: No. 11. Or any hole on Sunday when you have the lead.

Pivotal Hole: No. 11

Highest 18-Hole Score: 85

Highest Score on One Hole: 9, without a doubt.

Chip Deason
Director of Golf/Head Golf Professional, Bartram Trail Golf Club
(This is Chip’s first year participating in our poll.)
2025 Masters Champion: I’m not going to go against Scottie Scheffler. He’s too good. I think he’s going to break Jack’s record one day.

Dark Horse: I don’t know if he’s a dark horse, but I’m going to pick Rory. He needs it to complete the grand slam, and he’s running out of time.

Low Newcomer: There are a lot of good names that have never played the Masters. I’m going to say Thomas Detry. He’s a pretty seasoned player.

Low Senior: Bernhard Langer. This is his last Masters. I hope he can give it one last good shot.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Tyrrell Hatton

Toughest Hole: Nobody really knows what the course will be like after the hurricane. I’m going to go with No. 6.

Pivotal Hole: No. 15. I think it’s going to be a tight Masters. There are eagle/double bogey opportunities on that hole.

Highest 18-Hole Score: 80

Highest Score on One Hole: 9

Spike Kelley
General Manager and Golf Professional, Goshen Plantation Golf Club
(Spike’s correct 2024 predictions: Low Newcomer, Toughest Hole)
2025 Masters Champion: Rory McIlroy. He’ll win it one day.

Dark Horse: Ludvig Åberg

Low Newcomer: Rasmus Hojgaard. Is that the obvious name?

Low Senior: I’ll go with Vijay Singh.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Wyndham Clark

Toughest Hole: I’ll go with No. 11.

Pivotal Hole: I would say No. 15.

Highest 18-Hole Score: 84

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Tommy Brannen
Head Golf Professional, Augusta Country Club
(Tommy’s correct 2024 predictions: Toughest Hole)
2025 Masters Champion: Ludvig Åberg

Dark Horse: Davis Thompson

Low Newcomer: Thomas Detry

Low Senior: Fred Couples

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Tommy Fleetwood

Toughest Hole: No. 11

Pivotal Hole: No. 13

Highest 18-Hole Score: 84

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Tyler Powers
Golf Shop Manager, Hickory Knob State Park Golf Course
(Tyler’s correct 2024 predictions: Tyler needs a mulligan on last year’s picks.)
2025 Masters Champion: Who is going to win the Masters? I want to see Rory McIlroy win it, so I’ll pick him.

Dark Horse: Justin Thomas. He should play well.

Low Newcomer: Thomas Detry

Low Senior: Freddie Couples

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Tyrrell Hatton

Toughest Hole: No. 12

Pivotal Hole: No. 15

Highest 18-Hole Score: 79

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Chris Verdery
Director of Golf, The River Golf Club
(Chris’ correct 2024 predictions: Low Senior, Highest Score on One Hole)
2025 Masters Champion: I don’t want to pick Scheffler, even though that’s who I would pick if I wanted to win $1 million. (pause) Give me Scottie, I guess.

Dark Horse: I’ll go with Ludvig Åberg.

Low Newcomer: Maverick McNealy. I like him.

Low Senior: I’ll take Angel Cabrera. Why not?

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Wyndham Clark

Toughest Hole: No. 5

Pivotal Hole: No. 12. There’s a lot of danger lurking.

Highest 18-Hole Score: 79

Highest Score on One Hole: 9

Al Holloway
General Manager, Rocky Branch Golf Course
(This is Al’s first year participating in our poll.)
2025 Masters Champion: I think they’re going to have to beat Scottie Scheffler to win it.

Dark Horse: There are so many young players right now, but I’m going to go with Rory McIlroy. He’s my sleeper.

Low Newcomer: Gotta have a good putter. I’ll say the left-hander, Joe Highsmith.

Low Senior: Bernhard Langer

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Russell Henley

Toughest Hole: No. 11

Pivotal Hole: No. 12

Highest 18-Hole Score: 79

Highest Score on One Hole: 13