The Masters 2025: Butch Harmon on Rory McIlroy having edge over Scottie Scheffler as favorite for Augusta Nationwide | Golf Information

Butch Harmon believes Rory McIlroy has the sting over defending champion Scottie Scheffler as favorite to assert main glory at The Masters this week, stay on Sky Sports activities.

Scheffler arrives trying to change into the primary back-to-back winner at Augusta Nationwide since Tiger Woods and safe the Inexperienced Jacket for a 3rd time in 4 years, with final season’s success a part of a outstanding 2024 that noticed him declare 9 worldwide victories.

The world No 1 has but to win on the PGA Tour this marketing campaign, whereas McIlroy is a two-time champion after following his two-shot victory on the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am with a play-off success over JJ Spaun at The Gamers final month.

Scheffler is the bookies’ favorite over the Northern Irishman to win the opening main of the season, though Harmon believes McIlroy has the higher probability to search out the elusive victory required to finish the profession Grand Slam.

“I believe due to the way in which that Scheffler and McIlroy have been taking part in, all people’s enthusiastic about them,” Harmon stated. “These could be the 2 favourites.

“If I needed to offer you a favorite, I’d say I believe it is Rory. That does not imply he will win, however I believe – on paper – he is favoured to win.

“He performed so effectively in Houston. He stated that he had a number of issues that he has to tighten up – a few of his iron play and stuff – however I believe he will be wonderful. He appears to have the putter working.

“Every part is lined up. The celebs are all lined up. The moon and the whole lot that folks discuss within the universe is lined up for Rory to win The Masters. Now, he has to go do it.”

McIlroy stated after his success at The Gamers – his sixth worldwide win in 14 months – that he was “a extra full participant” than ever, with Harmon hoping to see him take a extra relaxed strategy into his bid for a primary main success since 2014.

“His sport is totally able to play,” Harmon added. “I believe if he can chill out and simply play golf and let it occur, I believe this might be the one that might get him over the hump.

“He desires it so dangerous and final yr you may see that he simply would not let himself play. If he can relax and simply play golf, which may be very straightforward to say however not very straightforward to do in a significant, then he is taking part in so fantastically.

“He has put a lot private strain on himself to win as a result of he desires it so dangerous, as a result of he is gained the opposite three. Scheffler’s is primary on this planet rating, however McIlroy is taking part in higher than anyone at this second.

“The nice ones who gained there so much, Tiger and Jack Nicklaus, they had been capable of chill out and benefit from the second, figuring out no matter’s going to occur goes to occur. I actually suppose if Rory can try this, it is going to be laborious to beat.”

McIlroy has traditionally made gradual begins at The Masters and has solely twice posted a primary spherical rating within the 60s in his earlier 16 visits, with final yr’s one-under 71 the primary time he has began beneath par since 2018.

The world No 2 has seven profession top-10s at Augusta Nationwide, together with runner-up to Scheffler in 2022, though has missed the lower in two of the final 4 years and did not contend throughout a tied-Twenty second end final April.

“I believe we’ll get a great take a look at Rory on Thursday to see how his manner is and see how he performs,” Harmon stated. “Everybody’s all amped up for the primary main – it is like a horse within the beginning gate.

“You need to consider 100 per cent in your self and your skill. You’ve got educated effectively, you are prepared for it, you recognize the golf course, you may overpower a golf course the way in which he drives the ball – like Tiger Woods did within the previous days.

“It is all there proper in entrance of him, you simply should go and simply do it. You may’t push. You may’t win the match on Thursday or Friday, however you may put your self in place.

“Final yr he at all times seemed like he was in a rush and he did not appear to relax. I believe we’ll see a special Rory this yr – no less than I hope so and it will make it thrilling.”

When is The Masters stay on Sky Sports activities?

Sky Sports activities Golf will likely be exhibiting document hours of stay protection from the 2025 contest, the place Scheffler returns as defending champion, together with extra motion over the ultimate two rounds than earlier years.

Wall-to-wall protection from the match begins at 2pm on Thursday, with Featured Group motion and common updates from across the course accessible to get pleasure from on Sky Sports activities Golf till the worldwide broadcast window begins at 8pm.

The identical timings will apply on Friday, whereas a brand new addition to this yr’s protection sees a Masters build-up present stay from 3pm over the weekend forward of full protection beginning at 5pm, overlaying all of the motion till after the shut of play.

On Sky +, Sky Q and Sky Glass there will likely be a number of additional motion through the purple button on the Sky Sports activities Golf channel, offering loads of bonus feeds and permitting you to observe gamers’ progress by means of varied components of Augusta’s well-known structure.

Who will win The Masters? Watch from April 10-13 stay on Sky Sports activities. Stay protection of the opening spherical begins with Featured Teams on Thursday April 10, from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.