When it comes to picking names for your Masters pools, the big names like Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy often dominate the conversation. But if you’re looking to gain an edge, you need to find some under-the-radar players who others won’t play as much—and who you’re confident could surprise at Augusta National in 2025.
I used the Betsperts Golf Rabbit Hole tool to examine PGA data over the past few years and found a handful of names that could and should perform well this year at Augusta. Each brings a unique skill set that could translate into a green jacket or at least a strong showing to boost your pool standings.
There are many variations, but one of the most popular is a “tiers” contest where you put together a team of golfers by picking one from each of a handful of tiers. For instance, the top eight golfers are put into a group, and you can only pick one of them, then the next eight are put into a second tier, and so on.
Similar to March Madness bracket pools, you’ll need to approach yours with the correct strategy. If it’s just you and five buddies doing this, you can likely stick to the big names, but if you’ve entered a pool with hundreds or thousands of others, you need to tread off the beaten path a bit and try to find a unique group of golfers to set your entry apart from the pack.
Here are five players who will help you win your 2025 Masters pools this year:
Yes, Morikawa’s a major champion (PGA Championship 2020, The Open 2021), but he’s still flying under the radar for Augusta. His precision iron play, ranking among the PGA Tour’s best in approach shots, suits the tough second shots and tricky greens of the Masters. He’s also increased his short game immensely. If his putter heats up, the 28-year-old Californian could finally get his third major championship.
He’s near the top of the odds board and isn’t really a sneaky player, but in larger pools, I really like him as a choice in the top tier when a ton of the field is going to simply be choosing between Rory and Scottie. His short game is improved, and Collin is the third-best ball-striker in the field over the past 12-month sample.
Henley’s not the flashiest name, but his consistency is lethal. The Georgia native has a stellar short game and ranks high in strokes gained around the green, a must for Augusta’s demanding chips and putts. With three top-20 Masters finishes already, he’s poised for a breakout week that could catch your rivals off guard.
He’s in the top 10 in the field in strokes gained/tee to green over the past 12 months. In his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he excelled in all the areas he will need to if he wants to find the first page of the leader board here in Georgia. He gained 1.59 strokes around the green (his best performance in the past year) to go along with some great putting and tee-to-green numbers.
The Scottish lefty has grit and a game built for big stages. MacIntyre’s debut at Augusta in 2024 showed promise, and his ability to shape shots in windy conditions—honed on links courses—could shine through. His recent PGA Tour win (2024 Canadian Open) proves he’s ready to contend, making him a sneaky pick.
In our Rabbit Hole data, he ranks in the top 20 in the field for par-5 scoring and top 10 in scrambling over the past year, both key stats for success here. Plus, added bonus, he’s a left-handed player who can hit left-to-right fades that the back nine calls for all week.
Canada’s Taylor is a quiet assassin. His pinpoint accuracy off the tee and steady putting make him a dark horse for Augusta, where avoiding mistakes is half the battle. Fresh off a win at the Sony Open a few months ago, plus a strong 2024 season, including a WM Phoenix Open title, he has the tools to compete here.
He’ll need to continue his strong long-iron play as one of the better approach players in the field, but it’s a nice look for one of the lower tiers as he’s a guy with win equity and has the skill set to climb the leaderboard here.
The least-known name here, Yu is a rising star from Taiwan with serious upside. His long drives and improving iron play could exploit Augusta’s par 5s, which is always a key to Masters success. After a breakout 2024 with a Sanderson Farms Championship win, the 26-year-old is a bold, high-reward pick for the savvy pool player.
He’s nailed down four top-20 finishes this year at a variety of course styles and the Rabbit Hole data ranks him in the top 10 in ball-striking here over the past six months. He’s a great one to use in your lower tiers, where a few players will garner most of the ownership.
These five might not be the first names you scribble down, but their skills align with Augusta’s unique test. Sprinkle them into your Masters’ pool, and you might just outsmart the competition come Sunday.
