Every year, the spotlight at The Masters Tournament shines on the biggest stars in golf. In 2026, players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm dominate the betting boards and headlines.
But Augusta National has a long history of surprise contenders. The course rewards experience, elite iron play, and creativity around the greens — which means a lesser-hyped player can suddenly find themselves on the leaderboard Sunday afternoon.
Here are five players flying under the radar this week who could make serious noise at Augusta.
1. Collin Morikawa
Few players strike their irons better than Collin Morikawa, and Augusta National is a second-shot golf course. Morikawa has quietly put together several strong performances at the Masters, including multiple top-20 finishes and a T3 finish in 2024.
His elite ball-striking allows him to attack Augusta’s tucked pins while avoiding the dangerous misses that lead to big numbers.
Why he could contend:
- One of the best iron players in the world
- Strong recent Masters history
- Proven major championship winner
If his putter warms up, Morikawa could absolutely find himself in the final pairing on Sunday.
2. Jason Day
It feels like people forget how good Jason Day can be on major championship stages.
Day has multiple top-10 finishes at Augusta and historically performs well on courses that reward creativity around the greens.
While he’s not the dominant force he once was, his experience and short-game brilliance make him dangerous if he gets into contention.
Why he could surprise:
- Elite short game
- Strong Masters track record
- Veteran experience under pressure
Augusta rewards patience — something Day has plenty of.
3. Corey Conners
Corey Conners may not get much attention from casual fans, but golf analysts know he’s one of the most consistent ball-strikers on tour.
He has quietly built an impressive resume at Augusta with multiple top-10 finishes and strong recent showings.
Why he fits Augusta:
- Elite tee-to-green game
- Excellent driving accuracy
- Proven course history
If the putter cooperates for four days, Conners could be a serious dark horse.
4. Sungjae Im
Sungjae Im already has a runner-up finish at the Masters and consistently performs well at Augusta.
His calm demeanor and consistent ball-striking make him the type of player who quietly climbs the leaderboard while others implode.
Why he’s dangerous:
- Extremely consistent player
- Strong Masters history
- Excellent iron play and accuracy
If he gets into the mix on Sunday, his steady temperament could make him very hard to beat.
5. Russell Henley
Russell Henley doesn’t often get mentioned among golf’s biggest stars, but his elite ball-striking and recent formmake him a legitimate sleeper pick.
Analysts point to Henley’s precision iron play and top-tier approach statistics as reasons he could outperform expectations at Augusta.
Why he’s worth watching:
- Among the best approach players on tour
- Excellent current form
- Accurate driver, ideal for Augusta strategy
If he stays patient and rolls in a few putts early, Henley could be a name climbing the leaderboard quickly.
Why Augusta Often Produces Surprise Contenders
Augusta National is unlike any other course in golf. Its undulating greens, strategic angles, and severe penalties for misses mean that course knowledge and ball-striking often outweigh pure power.
Historically:
- Most Masters winners had multiple previous appearances at Augusta.
- Many had prior top-5 finishes before winning.
That’s why players like the ones above — experienced, precise, and comfortable at Augusta — often outperform their expectations.
Final Thoughts
While the spotlight will be on stars like Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Rory McIlroy, history shows that the Masters always produces a few surprise contenders.
If you’re looking for players who could shake up the leaderboard this week, keep an eye on:
- Collin Morikawa
- Jason Day
- Corey Conners
- Sungjae Im
- Russell Henley
One of them might just be slipping into a green jacket on Sunday.