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Masters Week is in full swing now, and while futures odds are available year-round, the final days leading up to The Masters offer a deeper arsenal of new props and odds to consider.
Throughout Masters Week, we’ll profile some of the most popular players in the field, with a prognosis on how we should expect them to perform at Augusta National, and which prop markets offer the greatest value to exploit. In this article, we’ll analyze the best markets to bet on Rory McIlroy at the 2026 Masters.
Rory McIlroy 2026 Masters Odds
Player Profile: Rory McIlroy
For the first time in his life, Rory McIlroy will arrive down Magnolia Lane with nothing to prove. The burden of his great expectations was cathartically lifted on the 18th green at the 2025 Masters, where McIlroy prevailed over Justin Rose on the first playoff hole to achieve the career grand slam and put an end to his 11-year major drought.
The sheer length and need for creativity around Augusta National have always begged the question of not if, but when Rory would ultimately break through. The course fit alone will always slot McIlroy as one of the yearly favorites at The Masters, even if some questions about his health and form persist.
While I acknowledge the defending champion and World No. 2 must be considered a contender, I am personally going to be taking a very firm stance against McIlroy this week. It will be a very disorienting feeling for Rory to not desperately need to win this event for the first time in his career. Taking on the added media obligations that come as a defending champion won’t help him dial in his focus either.
Best Market(s) To Bet Rory McIlroy
McIlroy To Miss The Cut
Best Odds Available: +500
It may be blasphemous for me to even suggest betting the defending champion, World No. 2, and No. 1 player in terms of SG: TOT at Augusta National to miss the cut. The truth is, however, it’s a tall order to defend your title – especially your very first – at The Masters.
Since 2016, three other defending champions have missed the cut the following year: Dustin Johnson (2021), Sergio Garcia (2018), and Danny Willett (2017). Jon Rahm (T45), Tiger Woods (T38), and Patrick Reed (T36) each disappointed in their title defenses over the same span.
Rory will come to The Masters with just one top-10 in 2026, and results of T46 and WD over his last two starts. He looked lost at the PGA Championship in his first major start since achieving the career Grand Slam (T47), and I expect him to feel a bit disoriented for the first time in his career, showing up to the Masters with absolutely nothing to prove.
Round 1 Matchup Bets
Best Odds Available: TBD
Exact matchups have not been released yet as of this writing on Sunday, however this is more of a macro analysis on where we can exploit value in Rory McIlroy betting markets. Rory has been a historically slow starter at The Masters, citing the opening round as his biggest obstacle to winning The Masters sooner.
As the consensus second-favorite to win the 2026 Masters, I’m anticipating some appealing odds on McIlroy versus other contenders in round 1. It should be a disorienting feeling for Rory this year after all of the media obligations, and it may take him a round or two before he can recalibrate here.
Best of luck with your 2026 Masters bets! Check back in to Lineups.com for daily Masters odds updates.
More 2026 Masters Player Betting Previews
- Brooks Koepka Masters Betting Preview
- Bryson DeChambeau Masters Betting Preview
- Jon Rahm Masters Betting Preview
- Justin Rose Masters Betting Preview
- Scottie Scheffler Masters Betting Preview
Photo Credit: AP/Matt Slocum
