Sir Nick Faldo, a three-time Masters champion, has offered his final assessment for the upcoming 2026 tournament, focusing on Rory McIlroy’s chances as the defending champion at Augusta National.
Last year, McIlroy finally broke through his major championship drought in a dramatic fashion, overcoming Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to secure the Green Jacket and complete a career Grand Slam – a feat achieved by so few.
Defending the Masters title is notoriously difficult, with only three golfers ever achieving back-to-back victories. McIlroy’s preparation hasn’t been seamless, marked by a quiet start to the season and hampered by injury.
Faldo, intimately familiar with the pressures of defending at Augusta, expresses concern that McIlroy might struggle to recapture the intense emotional drive that fueled his triumph twelve months ago. The sheer weight of finally achieving the Grand Slam, he believes, is not easily replicated.
“Last year was so emotional, the whole build-up,” Faldo observed. “It was in the air, wasn’t it? He won The Players, and you start thinking, well, this is his best chance.” He questions whether McIlroy can summon that same level of intensity again.
Despite potential challenges for McIlroy, Faldo sees promise within the British contingent, highlighting the strong form of Bob MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Matt Fitzpatrick. He anticipates several British players will be contending on Sunday.
However, Faldo’s ultimate pick for the week is Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg. Aberg’s consistent play and impressive record at Augusta – finishing second and seventh in his first two appearances – have caught Faldo’s eye.
“I think Aberg was my favourite last year as well,” Faldo stated, noting Aberg’s strong performance at The Players Championship last month. He believes Aberg is poised for a major breakthrough.
Other analysts are also weighing in. Brandel Chamblee is backing Jon Rahm, eager to see the former champion return to peak form, envisioning a compelling showdown with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods’ former coach, points to Justin Rose’s recent victory at Torrey Pines and renewed confidence as reasons to consider him a strong contender, particularly for those seeking an alternative to the favorites.
Paul McGinley identifies Xander Schauffele as a player trending towards a significant performance, while quietly liking the chances of Bob MacIntyre, citing the historical success of left-handed golfers at Augusta and MacIntyre’s recent strong finishes in majors.
McGinley believes MacIntyre is on the verge of a major championship victory, suggesting his time is near. The stage is set for a captivating Masters, with multiple players poised to challenge for the coveted Green Jacket.
