It’s that time of year again, where Georgia is on everyone’s mind (not just good old Ray Charles). The Masters have crept up on us once again, bringing all the pageantry and elitism that comes with the territory.
A few years back, I was quite critical of the buttoned-up, self-important ‘patrons’ of Augusta National. As the PGA Tour has devolved into more of a frat-boy hazing atmosphere, I have come to miss the antiquated sense of decorum. Incidentally, Donald Trump has reportedly said that Tiger won’t be participating following his latest automobile incident. That leads me to believe that we will almost certainly see the 15-time major winner in action next week. But I digress.
Over the next week or so, I’m going to be homing in on everything Masters-related. You are going to get articles looking at the chances of heavy hitters such as Scheffler and McIlroy. And I’m sure I will go into great deal about LIV’s monster threats: DeChambeau and Rahm. I thought I would start at a gentler pace this week, focusing on some of the names that are bubbling just below the surface. I have decided to compile a list of my top five Augusta contenders who have yet to win a major championship. I have had to make some painful omissions assembling this list. FedEx Cup leader Jacob Bridgeman is in terrific form but will be playing Augusta for the first time. For some context, Fuzzy Zoeller was the last man to win Augusta on debut. In 1979! This is certainly a course that requires and rewards familiarity. Russell Henley has been in the form of his life these past 12 months but only has one top-10 finish at Augusta. I just don’t think his accuracy-based game is quite enough to get the job done around this juggernaut. Anyway, here goes nothing.
5. Min Woo Lee
With his swashbuckling playing style and effervescent personality, it’s easy to see why so many people love Min Woo Lee. The Aussie has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2026 season, finishing T2 at Pebble Beach before a T3 at last week’s Houston Open. He has made the cut in all seven events he has played and appears to have eradicated some of those ruinous big numbers. Lee has a bit of history with Augusta, tying the record for lowest front nine back in 2022 (-6). Lee looks like he could finally emerge into the type of contender that he has threatened to be for some time.
4. Chris Gotterup
Yes, I know the hypocrisy is rich with this selection. Burly American Chris Gotterup- like Jacob Bridgeman- will be making his maiden Masters appearance (which is grounds for automatic suspicion). But let’s just take a closer look at Gotterup’s undeniable credentials. With wins at the Sony and Phoenix Open, Gotterup is currently the only multiple winner on this year’s tour. He also showed unerring composure during last year’s links golf festivities, staring down Rory to win the Genesis Scottish Open before a wonderful solo 3rd at Royal Portrush (on debut). He is also one of the most explosive hitters out there, using the type of grip-it and rip-it approach that has flourished at Augusta in recent years.
3. Tommy Fleetwood
Could this be the year that Tommy Fleetwood ends his long major wait? The affable Englishman ended last year in spectacular fashion, holding off Scottie Scheffler to be crowned FedEx Cup champion. He has shown glimpses of that elite form this season, finishing just two shots off the pace at Pebble while picking up other top-10 finishes at Riviera and TPC Sawgrass. Fleetwood has a bit of chequered history at Augusta, finishing T3 in 2024 (his only top-10 finish). He has certainly added some length in recent seasons and shouldn’t be overawed by the big-hitting exploits of DeChambeau, etc.
2. Ludvig Aberg
Earlier I mentioned the fact that Fuzzy Zoeller was the last man to win Augusta on debut. Aberg had a chance of emulating that feat in 2024, ultimately finishing four shots back of a rampaging Scheffler. It’s surely just a matter of time till Ludvig Aberg is a Masters champ (he would look rather dapper in sport’s most famous sartorial item). The svelte Swede is in ominous form, finishing T3 at Bay Hill before a T5 at the Players. Critics will point to his burgeoning reputation for choking in winning positions. He was bang-in contention at last year’s Masters before playing the final two holes in four-over-par. He was similarly disappointing at the recent Players Championship, shooting a dreary four-over-par final round when he looked nailed-on to win. I think Aberg will have learnt from his experiences and should be in the mix again (look for him to own the par 5’s).
1. Cam Young
But my no.1, non-major winning contender must be Cam Young. Young, like Fleetwood, took his time to enter the winner’s circle, eventually claiming his maiden title at last year’s Wyndham Championship. He just won his 2nd title in grand style, pulverizing Fitzpatrick down the 18th to win his first Players Championship. Young’s outrageous tee-to-green game has always been a standout feature. But he has improved incredibly with the putter over the last 12 months or so (which should stand him in great stead on those lightning-quick Augusta green complexes). The dashing New Yorker has a bit of Jekyll and Hyde thing going on at Augusta, with two top-10’s and two missed cuts in his four appearances. He returned to his natural draw shot shape a few weeks before winning last year’s Wyndham Championship and that shape is just tailormade for the challenges of Augusta National.
