He led this column for the 2021 PGA Championship. 

And for the 2022 Open Championship.

And for the 2023 Masters. 

And for the 2023 U.S. Open. 

And for the 2023 Open Championship. 

And for the 2024 Masters. 

And for the 2024 Open Championship. 

And every time, Rory McIlroy didn’t win. So why do it again, for the “2025 Masters expert picks to win, sleepers to watch at Augusta National,” brought to you by GOLF.com? Haven’t I learned?

No, apparently not. This might be the year McIlroy wins his first major since 2014. This might be the year, after 16 previous starts, that he wins the Masters. The game is there — he’s worked on his touch, without sacrificing his muscle. The form is there — he’s won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship. The mentality is there — he’s adopting more of the Scottie Scheffler steady approach. 

This should be the year. 

But we’ve written that before. 

With that, members of our staff have each made to-win and sleeper selections to assist you with your own weekly picks, whether those are for a low-stakes office fantasy league, or (legal!) big-bucks bets with a sportsbook. It’s an enjoyable endeavor for us. Deploy it as you wish. 

On to our analysis. 

Want to bet the Masters? Sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” to receive a special welcome offer.