We are convinced that these players will win majors in 2026

Don’t worry, the Masters might feel a while away, but you know it’ll come fast.

No matter where you stand on the ‘Which is the best major’ debate, Augusta National is the perfect place to get the major season underway.

For the first time, we don’t have to talk about Rory McIlroy completing the major grand slam, as he did precisely that in 2025. You can read about the on-the-ground experience of the winning moment here.

Will a LIV Golfer win a major this coming season? Brooks Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship, and Bryson DeChambeau won the 2024 US Open, so there’s every chance. Will it be Jon Rahm or Cameron Smith?

Augusta is a staple of the major menu each year, and in 2026, we are being served Aronimink at the PGA Championship, Shinnecock Hills at the US Open and Royal Birkdale at The Open.

Scroll below to discover who the NCG team thinks will win each big one in the men’s game in 2026…

ALSO: The 2026 Masters field: Who’s headed to Augusta?

2026 Golf Majors

Masters – Augusta National

Dan Murphy: Bryson DeChambeau continues to mature as a golfer in the biggest events and I can see him finally working Augusta out. It must be said that he is a great course fit if he can control his irons a little better.

Steve Carroll: Like Arnold Palmer before him, Scottie Scheffler wins his Masters titles in even years. So after victories in 2022 and 2024, I’m expecting him to put on a third green jacket in 2026.

He is incredible in the early season but his progress was stunted last year because of a freak hand injury. He still finished fourth. We all know what happened afterwards.

There are too many demands on a defending Masters champion these days – what with the Champions Dinner and a ton of engagements – so I’m not expecting Rory McIlroy to go back-to-back.

No one has managed that feat since Tiger Woods in 2002 and I think the realisation he’s going to be among the azaleas for the rest of his life will hit him like a hammer right before the Tuesday night gathering. It will be emotional.

Matt Chivers: Xander Schauffele doesn’t have the worst Masters record. He came in the top 10 on one leg last year. He is one to watch, but I think it’s quite obvious that Ludvig Aberg is going to win this tournament one day. He has only made two appearances at Augusta, and could’ve won on both occasions.

Matt Coles: You get the feeling that the Scheffler train won’t be stopping anytime soon, other than to pick up more trophies (or little Bennett when he falls over). He has already won at Augusta twice, and I can see him making that three in 2026!

Mike Robertson: Tommy Fleetwood – He’s going to carry on this hot form and finally get that major

Darren Tear: Scottie Scheffler

ALSO: PGA Championship: Everything you need to know

PGA Championship – Aronimink Golf Club

Dan Murphy: Aronimink is an unknown quantity but let’s just presume that Scottie Scheffler has the answers – as he normally seems to.

Steve Carroll: I do expect Rory to be bang at it when the PGA Championship arrives at Aronimink. It’s long. It’s punishing. It’s a big ball-striker’s delight and McIlroy’s driver seems to be hitting new heights now. If Rory wins a major in 2026, it’s here. He shot 62 and 63 in the BMW Championship in 2018 and finished 5th.

Matt Chivers: Similar to my logic for the 2025 PGA Championship, I’m going to go with Scottie Scheffler. This is the major that most resembles a PGA Tour event, and he wins more of them than anyone.

Matt Coles: This one might be a more heart over head pick, but there is some logic to it. Justin Rose is playing brilliantly at the minute, and he has form at Aronimink. He was victorious at the AT&T National in 2010 when it was held at the Philadelphia venue. He also finished 2nd at the BMW Championship in 2018, losing out in a playoff to Keegan Bradley.

Mike Robertson: Rory McIlroy

Darren Tear: Rory McIlroy

ALSO: US Open: Everything you need to know

US Open – Shinnecock Hills

Dan Murphy: Shinnecock Hills is one of the great US Open venues, and it’s hard to see past a great champion. In this case, Jon Rahm. He’s too good a player to continue struggling in the majors.

Steve Carroll: The USGA set this one up to be tough and, in my opinion, it’s gone over the edge both in 2018 and 2004. If that happens again, you need a player who is as hard as nails. Just look at the previous winners: Koepka, Retief Goosen, Corey Pavin, Raymond Floyd – all steely competitors who don’t flinch.

I’m going for Tyrrell Hatton here. Tied 6th in 2018, he clearly gets on with the course, and I think his game is now on another level. Playing on LIV Golf hasn’t blunted his competitiveness, and he will have learned a lot from his near miss at Oakmont last summer – another beast of a course.

Matt Chivers: I am happy to admit that I’m with my heart over my head here. Tommy Fleetwood came second to Brooks at Shinnecock in 2018, so you’d hope with similar conditions, he can go close again.

Matt Coles: Although the major still is yet to come, Tommy Fleetwood broke his PGA Tour duck with a big victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake in September. Four weeks later, he went 4-0-0 through the pairs element of the Ryder Cup for the second time. Throw in the fact that the last time the US Open was hosted at Shinnecock Hills, he was just a shot back from winner Brooks Koepka. Another man in form, and at a favourable venue.

Mike Robertson: Scottie Scheffler

Darren Tear: Bryson DeChambeau

ALSO: The Open Rota: Where will the Open Championship be held in 2026, 2027 and 2028?

The Open – Royal Birkdale

Dan Murphy: Americans love Birkdale so let’s have a punt on Justin Thomas to reinvent himself as a major contender after a barren couple of years.

Steve Carroll: I’m taking Tommy Fleetwood to thrill his home crowd when The Open returns to Royal Birkdale.

It was a bit too much for him back in 2017 but having experienced that fevered home support, and having performed so well at Royal Liverpool in front of the same pressures in 2023, I think he can lift the Claret Jug. His game seems made for links golf and there is nothing to surprise him this time in Southport.

Matt Chivers: I’m going to say Cameron Young. He’s played in The Open four times, almost won it at the Home of Golf, then came tied for 8^th in 2023. He has made six major top-10s since the start of 2022 as well.

Matt Coles: In his first ever appearance at the Open, which came at Royal Birkdale in 2017, Xander Schauffele finished a very credible T20. He has since gone on to lift the Claret Jug, doing so at Royal Troon in 2024, before then finishing T7 last year as he aimed to defend his crown. Following his victory at Troon, the American failed to win again for 15 months, but he broke that run at the Baycurrent Classic in October, and he will be continuing that good form into the New Year! Expect to see the two-time major champion battling for the Claret Jug once more in 2026.

Side note: Tommy Fleetwood could also win at Birkdale, in front of his adoring home fans in the north west of England!

Mike Robertson: Bob MacIntyre

Darren Tear: Ludvig Aberg

NOW READ: NCG Top 100s course rankings: Why Royal Birkdale is one of the most popular Open venues

What do you make of our golf majors 2026 predictions? Will a LIV Golfer win any of the 2026 golf majors? Tell us your own predictions of the 2026 golf majors on X!