Niall Lyons has three to follow in the first round leader market on day 1 of the Masters.
Masters 2026 Round 1 Leader
The sweet spot for Round 1 at the Masters looks to be after 12pm local time. Nine players have led or co-led after round one with a tee time of 12pm or later in the last ten years.
Throughout that period the calibre of player who has been involved in the first round leader is extremely high. Spieth, Dechambeau, Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Hovland, Rahm and Rose are notable names who have held at least one 18 hole lead here since 2016.
Masters 2026 First Round Leader Tips
1pt each-way L.Aberg FRL 22/1 (1/5 6) General
0.75pt each-way A.Scott FRL 50/1 (1/5 6) General
0.75pt each-way N.Hojgaard 55/1 (1/4 5) Bet365
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Ludvig Aberg at 22/1 (Six Places)
One who has shown a host of form around here in a short space of time is Ludvig Aberg and I'm happy to get involved for the first 18 with a little 'fomo' maybe contributing to my choice.
His problems closing out an event or two wouldn't be of huge concern to me and I think pretty soon that will be forgotten about. The facts are that he has shot 50% of his eight rounds here so far in the 60s and has been outside the top 12 only once at the end of those eight rounds.
Can he keep that form going here is the big question but with Rose and Dechambeau holding multiple first round leads here down the years it would be foolish to dismiss someone in the exact same mould creating the same type of history.
We all expect Aberg to probably slip on the green jacket at some stage in his career, but a lot will be talked about his final round at Sawgrass should he be in the mix here on Sunday.
No such problems will arise over the first 18 and he looks a likely candidate from the top of the market.
Adam Scott at 50/1 (Six Places)
Listed above are course specialists and one out at the perfect time is Adam Scott. Since winning here Scott has had 12 appearances and been 2nd after round once and in the top 6 a further two times. That's 3 from the last 12 where he has had made the places and there's a slight chance we get even better this time around.
The Aussie is having a really decent year finishing 4th at Riviera and 11at at Bayhill. He's one who has also played since the Players which should be an advantage.
He ranks 3rd on tour this season in strokes gained approach and should his putter warm up at all he could have a really good week.
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Nicolai Hojgaard at 55/1 (Five Places)
I can't resist what looks a really nice price about Nicolai Hojgaard going well in round one. His opening round of 67 in 2024 as a debutant is eye catching and he inside the top 6 after the first three rounds there only to fall back to 16th on Sunday.
He had missed three cuts on the bounce during the lead in to last years tournament so it is no surprise he missed the cut then. This year we can expect better.
He ranks 12th on tour in strokes gained approach for the season and arrives here off the back of a runner up finish in Texas. He is capable of making a lot of birdies and wouldn't surprise me if he's in the final half dozen groups on Sunday.
