When entries closed for our 2026 Masters Giveaway at Santa Clara Golf Marbella, golf fans had made their calls. With an list of more than 200 total entries, opinions were spread across proven stars, dark horses, and the ever-popular wildcard option: Surprise Winner.
When Sunday arrived, it was Rory McIlroy who turned prediction into reality.
Most Popular Picks
Here is how participants voted before the first tee shot:
- Surprise Winner – 33.2%
- Rory McIlroy – 19.7%
- Scottie Scheffler – 11.7%
- Tommy Fleetwood – 9.9%
- Justin Rose – 7.6%
- Matt Fitzpatrick – 4.5%
Rory was the smartest named pick
While Surprise Winner received the most overall votes, the most selected individual player was Rory McIlroy with 19.7% of all valid selections. That proved to be the sharpest prediction.
Rory’s victory rewarded those who backed experience, world-class shot-making, and the belief that a champion of his calibre could make it back-to-back Green Jackets after his 2025 triumph.
Why “Surprise Winner” was so popular
The Masters is never short of unpredictability, and many participants clearly recognised that.
For the giveaway, the 14 original player options were selected by ChatGPT as the most likely contenders to win the 2026 Masters, based on form, history, rankings, and overall probability heading into Augusta. However, even a strong shortlist cannot capture the full depth of elite talent in the field.
That left out several dangerous names who were more than capable of winning, making Surprise Winner an attractive and intelligent pick for many entrants.
Among the powerful names outside the main options were:
- Viktor Hovland
- Ludvig Åberg
- Joaquín Niemann
- Min Woo Lee
- Cameron Smith
With so much quality beyond the main list, it is no surprise that Surprise Winner became the most popular overall prediction.
Giveaway Winner Announced
Some trusted form. Some trusted value. Some trusted chaos. But those who trusted Rory McIlroy got it right. From all participants who correctly predicted Rory McIlroy before the official first tee time, one entry was randomly selected.
Congratulations to Lonneke Leenaars!
Lonneke wins 2 green fees with shared buggy at Santa Clara Golf Marbella, redeemable anytime between now and the next The Masters Tournament in 2027. Thank you to everyone who submitted their predictions and helped turn this into one of the most anticipated games of Masters week.
That is golf. That is Augusta. And that is why every April, the world watches.
