Name: Masters Round 1 recap: Who should be the favorite?
Uploaded: 2026-04-10T00:23:33.000Z
Duration: 1305 s
Description: Rick Gehman joins the Golfbet team as they update their betting cards heading into the second round of the Masters.

Following his second-round 65 at the 2026 Masters Tournament, Rory McIlroy described his stretch of six birdies in seven holes as a “flow state" where he found positives in difficult situations and saw opportunities to make birdies even when out of position.

Rory McIlroy describes finding ‘flow state’ after taking six-shot lead at Masters

Rick Gehman joins the Golfbet team as they debate if anyone has a chance to erase Rory McIlroy's six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National.

Masters Round 2 recap: Can anyone catch Rory McIlroy?

Following his second-round 69 at the 2026 Masters Tournament, Justin Rose explains the shift from a cruise-control mentality Thursday and early Friday to a more aggressive, birdie-focused mindset later in his second round, similar to his approach during the final round of last year’s Masters.

Justin Rose on finding aggressive mindset at Masters

Rick Gehman joins the Golfbet team as they update their betting cards heading into the second round of the Masters.

Masters Round 1 recap: Who should be the favorite?

Following his opening-round 67 at the 2026 Masters Tournament, defending champion Rory McIlroy says it was "nice to feel my hand shaking" on the first tee at Augusta National and explains why those feelings are important.

Rory McIlroy on embracing first-tee nerves in first round of Masters

Following his opening-round 67 at the 2026 Masters Tournament, Sam Burns talks about focusing on execution and having a good process while being tied for the early lead at Augusta National, and not getting lost in thinking about the past or future.

 Sam Burns explains mentality tied atop leaderboard after first round

In December 2025, Ryan Gerard was just outside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and was not in the field for the 2026 Masters. Gerard decided to travel to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, a DP World Tour event, in an attempt to qualify. Needing at least a T4 finish, Gerard shot 63-66 on the weekend to force a playoff. Although he ultimately fell short of the win, the 26-year-old achieved his goal and earned his spot at Augusta.

Ryan Gerard’s 10,000-mile journey to the Masters

The road back to the Masters hasn’t been easy for Gary Woodland. In 2023, Woodland underwent surgery to remove a benign brain lesion. Prior to the 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship, Woodland revealed a diagnosis of PTSD and that he is still grappling with the aftermath of his surgery. Just weeks after disclosing his diagnosis, Woodland had a career week and claimed his first win since 2019 at the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Gary Woodland’s remarkable journey back to the Masters

Thirteen-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose has long been known to be a class act on and off the course. Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland reflect on his career and impact.

Justin Rose reflects on viral email

Check out the best escape shots of Rory McIlroy’s career, from low punches out of the trees to threading tight windows and digging out of deep rough.

Rory McIlroy's best escape shots of his career

Twenty-nine-year-old Ben Griffin had a breakout season in 2025, recording three PGA TOUR wins. Griffin reflects on his life journey to the pinnacle of golf, including revealing how his family lost their home in 2008. The North Carolina native’s family relocated and found Finley Golf Club, a public course that helped shape Griffin’s career and life.

How housing crisis impacted Ben Griffin’s golf journey

Take a closer look at Rory McIlroy’s journey to becoming the sixth male golfer to complete the career Grand Slam with his victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament. 

Rory McIlroy’s journey to completing career Grand Slam

Ahead of the 2026 Masters Tournament, defending champion Rory McIlroy describes how much more relaxed he feels this year after returning to Augusta National as a champion.

Rory McIlroy on having weight lifted off shoulders after Masters victory

Ahead of the 2026 Masters Tournament, Tommy Fleetwood discusses how special playing golf with his family is at the Par 3 Contest and how he's motivated to keep qualifying for the Masters until Frankie is able to reach the green on the final hole at the nine-hole course.

Tommy Fleetwood on encouraging, drawing motivation from son Frankie at Par 3 Contest

The Golfbet team looks at whose odds have gone up and down over the last few months to help give you value with your picks for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. 

DraftKings odds movement: Whose stock is up at Masters?

Golfbet contributor Rick Gehman has three names who can win the Masters Tournament at Augusta National based off of their statistics and recent form.
 

Running with Rick: Three players whose stats are trending into the Masters

Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Mark O’Meara and Darren Clarke reflect on Rory McIlroy’s remarkable victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament to capture the career Grand Slam. Trevino calls it “the greatest Masters he’s ever seen.”

Nicklaus, Trevino, other legends reflect on McIlroy's Masters win

What were you doing when you were 18 years old? Mason Howell is set to make his Masters debut after winning the 2025 U.S. Amateur. The high school senior walks through how he’s preparing for the biggest tournament of his life at Augusta National Golf Club.

Eighteen-year-old Mason Howell on Masters debut  

Kevin Clark from Omaha Productions joins the Golfbet Roundtable to look at all the key stats to distinguish which trends you should really be looking at when placing your bets.

Golfbet Roundtable: Key trends for making picks at the Masters

Watch as "The Drop" narrows down the field category by category to determine who can win the 2026 Masters Tournament, with just one player left standing ahead of the season's first major.

'The Drop' breaks down who can win the Masters in this edition of 'The EliminaTOUR'

Ali McCann interviews Jacob Bridgeman on "The Drop" as he reflects on past Masters memories, engagement photos at Augusta, feeling in a good position entering the week and what a successful Masters would look like for him.

Jacob Bridgeman breaks down how he's prepping for Masters debut on 'The Drop'  

 Ali McCann interviews Tommy Fleetwood on "The Drop" to talk about his preparation for the Masters, special moments at Augusta with his family and his goal to win a major.

Tommy Fleetwood discusses preparing for the Masters on 'The Drop'

Thirteen-time PGA TOUR winner Jordan Spieth can make par from anywhere. Check out the best escape shots from his career, including hole-outs, wild pars and more.

Jordan Spieth’s best escape shots of his career

Go behind the scenes with J.J. Spaun after he claims the 2026 Valero Texas Open for his third career PGA TOUR victory. Follow along as Spaun receives a pair of cowboy boots and takes photos with the trophy.

Mic’d up with J.J. Spaun after winning Valero

 Check out the best shots from the 2026 Valero Texas Open, including a tournament-deciding drive from J.J. Spaun, impressive chip-in from Ludvig Åberg and more.

Austin Smotherman’s hole-in-one leads Shots of the Week

After winning his second Valero Texas Open in 2026 and his third PGA TOUR title, J.J. Spaun discusses the thoughts and emotions after the victory, a tough start to the 2026 season and a shifted mentality recently that's led to better recent results. 

J.J. Spaun news conference after winning Valero

Check out the best bets that cashed at the 2026 Valero Texas Open, featuring live wagers on winner J.J. Spaun, Michael Kim's top-five finish and Austin Smotherman cashing in with a hole-in-one.

Winning wagers: Top five bets that hit at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun shoots a 5-under 67 to get to 17-under par for the tournament, winning his third PGA TOUR title, his second at the event, by one shot.

J.J. Spaun Round 4 highlights from Valero

Check out all the best shots from the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, featuring J.J. Spaun, Ludvig Åberg and Robert MacIntyre, among others.

Highlights | Round 4 | Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, Ludvig Åberg makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Ludvig Åberg makes birdie on No. 18 at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun makes a critical up-and-down par save at the par-5 18th hole to finish 17-under par. In the final group of the day, Robert MacIntyre attempts a 30-foot birdie putt to tie the lead at the par-5 18th and misses, sealing Spaun's third PGA TOUR title. After clinching the win, Spaun discusses the emotions of winning for the third time on the PGA TOUR and finding the winner's circle after a tough start to the 2026 season.

J.J. Spaun seals third win with 72nd-hole par, Robert MacIntyre miss at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, Ludvig Åberg makes birdie on the par-4 17th hole.

Ludvig Åberg makes birdie on No. 17 at Valero

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