The 2026 Masters looks like one of the most wide-open in years with some of the big tournament favorites all having question marks around them.
And there’s a recent trend around Masters champions that would rule out a host of the big guns at Augusta National this week if it holds true.
Two weeks off too long to win The Masters?
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It’s a strong trend too, with only two of the last 20 Masters winners having more than a week off before claiming the Green Jacket, and none of the last 11 champions – according to stats maestro Justin Ray.
The LIV Golf contingent have had no option as the last event on their team golf tour took place in South Africa three weeks ago, meaning Rahm and DeChambeau, along with Tyrrell Hatton, have had two full weeks off.
After trekking around the globe playing in the Middle East, Australia and Asia that doesn’t seem like too bad a plan at all – and both Rahm and DeChambeau have been in brilliant form – but this trend says that it is too long a break to take.
All the LIV Golf players, along with former LIV man Reed, also haven’t even teed it up in the USA this year yet, which could be seen as a bit of a negative for their chances.
PGA Tour players usually fit in one of either the Houston Open or Texas Open following The Players Championship to have one last tune-up for Augusta and ensure they have no more than a week off.
That’s not the case for a large number of well-fancied players though, with Matt Fitzpatrick taking the full two weeks off after winning the Valspar – as has Xander Schauffle after finishing fourth at the same event.
Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Cantlay are another three to have had two weeks off, along with FedEx Cup leader Jacob Bridgeman who is fancied to do well on his Masters debut.
He won’t win it though if this stat…
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