The Masters Preview: Who Takes Home the Green Jacket?

2025 Masters Tournament Preview Graphic

The DGA Tour's most prestigious event, The Masters presented by Nicks Pizza, arrives this weekend at Lancaster Golf Club, and the stage is set for an epic showdown. With five events already shaping the leaderboard, this major promises to be a crucible of skill and nerve.

The Reigning Champion Faces a Formidable Hurdle

As the defending champion, Kyler Messner returns to Lancaster with a monumental challenge on his hands, aiming to replicate his first-place finish at last year's Masters where he scored +9. Known throughout the Tour as a big-game player, Messner has already amassed two victories and three career major titles this season, showcasing his exceptional talent. He consistently leads the Tour in key statistical categories, a testament to his precision and ability to deliver under pressure, holding the Tour's best scoring average (78.25), birdie rate (11.11%), and par rate (45.83%). His ambition is clear: to complete the career Grand Slam with a victory at The Turnberry Showdown, and another win at Lancaster would undoubtedly propel him closer to that historic achievement.

However, a cloud of uncertainty looms over Messner's campaign. He is battling a significant back injury, raising serious questions about his ability to execute full swings or even complete the entire 18-hole round. The severity of this injury has fundamentally altered the competitive landscape, as he is no longer considered the favorite heading into this high-stakes event. This Masters will be not just a test of his golf game, but a profound examination of his resilience and determination.

The New Frontrunner and The People's Contender

With Messner's health in doubt, Jack Spence has seized the mantle as the player to beat. He currently sits atop the DGA Tour standings, a testament to his remarkable consistency, holding 273 total points. Spence is a model of unwavering performance, maintaining an impressive record of zero triple bogeys across 90 holes, leading the Tour in most pars with 37, and also leading in most birdies with 9. His debut victory earlier this season at The View Open silenced any skeptics regarding his ability to perform under the Tour's handicap system. Spence carries undeniable momentum, combining a focused demeanor with a sharp competitive edge. Vegas has certainly taken notice, installing Spence as the new +250 favorite.

Hot on Spence's heels is Trevor Monk, the reigning DGA Tour champion, who has arguably become the "people's champion." His runner-up finish at last year's Masters, tying Ashton Walker at +19, solidified his major pedigree. His career-best round at Donatos—a masterful performance in brutal conditions where he shot a gross 75 (+3)—was a powerful statement, and many believe it deserved to be recognized as the rightful winning score. Monk is an explosive player whose raw power translates directly into results, and his composure in major events is truly formidable, highlighted by top-3 finishes in two majors this season. He holds the third-best scoring average (82.80) on Tour. Despite occasional distractions, his focus on the course, especially in challenging weather, marks him as an undeniable force. The "Justice for Monk" sentiment continues to resonate, adding to his formidable presence, making him a compelling challenger at +400.

The Unpredictable Forces and Rising Stars

Don't overlook Auston Sorg, who holds a strong fourth place in the standings with 232 points. Sorg also showcased his potential at last year's Masters, finishing in a tie for fourth at +20. Sorg's game is an intriguing blend of brilliance and chaos, often featuring sequences that defy logic. He ranks third in the league in double bogeys with 20, but has impressively limited triples to just two across five events. Yet, he consistently remains a contender, a testament to his mental fortitude and a knack for strong finishes, particularly on the back nine. His unexpected contention in his very first round of the season at The View Open hinted at his latent potential, and he could certainly put it all together this weekend.

Making waves with his unconventional approach is Harry Gilmore, the barefoot wonder. He sits comfortably in seventh place with 204 points, with two victories under his belt, including a historic performance in his handicap debut at Pine Hill with a net 66 (-6) and an astonishing solo round at Donatos with a 76 gross, -10 net. Gilmore finished 10th at last year's Masters with a +23. He thrives on the attention, embracing the villain narrative with an unapologetic swagger. He also owns the Tour's fifth-best scoring average (87.0). Whether he's playing without shoes from the start or shedding them mid-round, Gilmore is pure entertainment. If his game, perhaps aided by new equipment, fully ignites, he remains a significant threat, positioned at +1000.

Tied for fifth in the standings at 208 points are the McGuires, Mike and Shea, who offer a fascinating contrast. Mike McGuire epitomizes creative brilliance, known for his masterful short game and an intriguing fascination with high-loft clubs. His game is often a chaotic brilliance with just 3 birdies all season but 7 triple bogeys and 21 doubles. He finished tied for 8th at last year's Masters with a +22. He’s even been seen distributing pizzas to his fellow competitors, a true fan-favorite gesture. While he's vocal about his dislike for wet conditions, The Masters is a major, and his recent upward trend suggests he's ready to contend.

2025 Masters Handicaps

Shea McGuire, is quite simply the spirit of the Tour – radiating positivity, unflappable no matter the circumstance. He also finished tied for 8th at last year's Masters at +22. His scorecards may appear unorthodox, boasting 25 pars but only one birdie in five events, and leading the league in bogeys with 46. But his composure is unmatched, even after a remarkable incident involving a tree and a house window at Westchester. He’s a beloved figure, and while a victory might be a long shot, his presence guarantees an interesting round.

Will Eyman consistently demonstrates elite iron play and displayed remarkable sportsmanship by conceding the Westchester Wildcard to Messner. He was not listed on last year's Masters leaderboard, indicating this is his first time contending at this major. His rounds often feature a wide range of emotions and scores, highlighted by 8 triple and double bogeys each, but his positive energy remains undefeated. If he can mitigate the larger numbers, his consistent ball-striking could lead to a surprising performance.

Then there's Seth Paszke, an enigma on the green. He finished 13th at last year's Masters with a +34. His putting has historically been a challenge, recording outings of 42 putts and 39 putts. However, it has recently shown signs of significant improvement, shaving five strokes off his putting total at Donatos to 37 putts. He's even experimented with different putting styles, including a right-handed putter. Paszke's ball-striking is often solid, and if his short game can finally align with it, he possesses the potential to climb into the top tier, despite having 0 birdies this season.

Gianni Young rounds out the top 10 in the standings with 145 points. He also had a strong showing at last year's Masters, tying for fourth at +20. He possesses a knack for sinking birdies, tied for third on Tour with 6 birdies. He frequently overcomes difficult front nines with strong finishes. If he can find consistency across all 18 holes, a significant breakthrough could be within reach, as his bogey-or-better rate is solid at 56.96%.

The Underdogs and Mysterious Talents

Bringing up the rear, but never out of the storyline, is Dylan Sharp. His struggles have been widely noted, including a particularly challenging round at Donatos. He holds the Tour-worst 15 triple bogeys and a scoring average of 97.25. This stands in stark contrast to his performance at last year's Masters, where he tied for fourth with a +20. If he can conquer his tendency for big numbers, he might just pull off an unexpected upset, though he remains a very long shot at +5000.

Ryan Arter is also a contender for this year's green jacket. He had a notable performance at last year's Masters, tying for tenth place with a score of +23. In the current season, Arter has only played in two events, but he demonstrates significant promise when he plays. At Pine Hill, he shot an 88, displaying "bookend golf" with seven pars and showing that the rust from missing Eaglesticks was behind him. He holds the third-best par rate (44.44%) and the lowest triple bogey rate (2.78%) on Tour, indicating a solid foundation for his game. If he returns to full-time play, Arter could certainly be a player to watch for a breakthrough performance.

And we can’t forget the "mystery man of the DGA Tour," Jamichael Billups. His singular appearance saw him post an impressive low gross score of 76 with three birdies and no triples. He was not listed on last year's Masters leaderboard. That's the kind of stat line that could change a season. Should he ever return to full-time competition, he is poised to become a formidable force.

The Green Jacket is Up for Grabs

The Masters at Lancaster Golf Club is poised for an unforgettable weekend. With the DGA Tour standings tighter than ever and Kyler Messner's injury adding a layer of compelling drama, every shot will carry immense significance. Anticipate a tournament filled with dramatic turns, unexpected heroes, and the raw competitive spirit that defines the DGA Tour.

The DGA Tour is sponsored by Haywood Golf.