Edoardo Molinari, Ryder Cup Star and now likely our man for scouting, has truly delved into the analysis ahead of the 90th Masters at Augusta National. For him, three names are at the top of the list of potential champions: Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, and Collin Morikawa. We're not just talking about the usual suspects here; Molinari has also directly identified the decisive holes on the course that could shape the champion.
Let's look at Scheffler, who is starting strong in 2026. Over six tournaments, he's averaging +2.54 strokes gained per round. His short game (+0.48/round) and putting (+0.70/round) are running like clockwork, even if his approach play (currently +0.27/round) has dipped slightly compared to 2025 (+1.00). Tommy Fleetwood gains +1.18 strokes per round over the same distance, excelling particularly with his wedges (+0.27/round), short game (+0.41/round), and tee shot accuracy (+0.65/round). Only his putting (-0.22/round) is still a bit temperamental this year.
Morikawa, the Iron God
But the man who truly makes Molinari rave is Collin Morikawa. With +1.95 strokes gained per round in his six tournaments so far, he is the top candidate. His approach play (+0.92/round) is a force, and even his putting has improved to almost zero (-0.02/round). Morikawa is considered the best iron player in the world, with +0.91 Strokes Gained Approach per round over the last ten months – that's even better than the world No. 1's benchmark (+0.82). Especially from the 175-200 yards (160-183 meters) range, he's a weapon, gaining +0.24 strokes per round here, almost double that of the Tour's top five. And incidentally: This year's Masters also marks a milestone for Finnish golf, as it's the first Finnish participation since Mikko Ilonen.
Where the Masters Will Be Decided
Molinari emphasizes that certain holes at Augusta National will make all the difference. While detailed analyses of the individual holes are still pending, one thing is clear: whoever masters their nerves and technique here will ultimately claim the Green Jacket. It's going to be an epic round!
