Who Really Are The Top 10 Golfers in The World

Guest article by student sports journalist Fin Tait.

The Masters is upon us. The first major of the season is in close proximity. The bookies are choosing their favourites, and the field has been invited. But who are the top 10 heading into this year's Masters?

Obviously there will be names expected to be on here, Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy for example. But with LIV Golf events not being recognised by the official world golf rankings, the rankings may not reflect reality with total accuracy.

So, with that being said, here’s our top 10 golfers heading to Augusta National this year.

1 - Scottie Scheffler

Who saw this coming? Well, hopefully everyone. Although the world no.1 is still finding form on his recovery from injury before the start of this season, he poses a threat every weekend. The reigning Masters champion will almost certainly be hunting down the win come the final round - he may also be seeing it out.

2 - Rory McIlroy

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(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Another obvious one ahead of this year's Masters. Following his recent win at the Players Championship, Rory will be looking to carry on his form and claim his first green jacket - and his first major trophy in over 10 years.

3 - Ludvig Aberg

After finishing 2nd, four shots off winner Scottie Scheffler last year, Aberg will be looking to finish the job this time round. Heading to Augusta with one win and two top 10 finishes so far this season, Aberg will be in strong contention for the win come Sunday.

4 - Collin Morikawa

I don't think any of these names so far should come as a surprise to you, Morikawa is another who is playing some sensational golf early on this season. Already having three top 10 finishes this year, as well as finishing T3rd at Augusta last time out, Morikawa will be looking to get his hands on that green jacket.

5 - Jon Rahm

The first LIV player to make the list. Officially ranked 71st, this ranking is highly unrealistic of his current ability in the field. Currently having finished in the top 10 on every LIV event so far this season, Rahm has been playing some wonderful golf. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon as well, Rahm will be looking to prove a point at Augusta this year.

6 - Bryson DeChambeau

The second LIV golfer of the list, and a very big name indeed. The two-time major champ moved to LIV in June 2022, and since then he claimed the US Open in 2024. The big hitter also finished second in last year's PGA Championship, finishing just one shot off the winner. DeChambeau will return to Augusta with an aim of claiming his third major title.

7 - Justin Thomas

If this list was created before the beginning of this season, I don't think you'd be surprised if JT didn't make the list. But after his impressive form since the start of this season, he's made this list quite comfortably. Since The Sentry in week one of this season, JT has crept up from 21st to 9th in the world rankings, where he currently sits now. The two-time major champ will be looking to claim his first green jacket, as well as solidifying his place in the Ryder Cup team - because what would a Ryder Cup be without JT?

8 - Xander Schauffele

Despite having already competed in four events so far this season, and not having any groundbreaking finishes, Schauffele will surely be on the prowl to secure his first green jacket. Schauffele has struggled finding form and consistency so far this season following an injury early in the start of the year, however after a top 25 finish at the Valspar Championship it seems he will have found his game in time for the first major of 2025.

9 - Hideki Matsuyama

The 2021 Masters champion will be returning to Augusta this April with the aim of walking away with his second green jacket. Since his win at the Sentry at the beginning of this season, Matsuyama has recorded five top 25 finishes and he currently sits at 6th in the world rankings. Could the Japanese man claim his second win at Augusta?

10 - Joaquin Niemann

The final LIV player rounding out the list. Currently ranked at a very unrealistic 83rd in the world, Niemann has won two events on the LIV tour so far this season. Niemann has finished in the top 25 in the past two Masters, but will he be able to close that gap this time around?

Now it's time for some honourable mentions...

Tommy Fleetwood

Currently sat at ninth in the world, Fleetwood has had five top 25 finishes and one top 10 finish so far this season. The Olympic silver medallist will be looking to make his first PGA Tour win a big one.

Shane Lowry

Three top 10 finishes so far this season, and runner-up at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, Lowry will be pushing to secure his second major title this April.

Sergio Garcia

Making his 25th Masters appearance, the former champion will be returning the famed corridors of Augusta this April. Garcia has admitted he has his eyes stapled on the Ryder Cup, and his performances in the majors will play a huge part on if he plays at Bethpage this year.

There are our top 10 heading into the 2025 Masters. Is there anyone you think we’ve missed?