Charles Barkley reveals his Masters 2025 pick, snubs Scottie Scheffler
Former NBA star Charles Barkley revealed his pick for the 2025 Masters, and it's not the crowd-favorite Scottie Scheffler. In a recent interview with Golf Digest, the former NBA star answered some intriguing questions about golf, including his pick who can win the first major of the year in 2025.
Surprisingly, Barkley did not choose fan favorites such as Scheffler or Rory McIlroy, despite Scheffler's impressive performance in 2024, which included winning the Masters.
When asked to name the player Chuck believed could win the Masters in 2025, he picked six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa, who is still seeking his maiden Major title. Homa came close to victory at the 2024 Masters but finished tied for third place after an impressive performance.
Barkley expressed confidence in Homa, believing 2025 could be the year he clinches his first Major championship.
Check out Charles Barkley's interview answering his favorite pick for 2025 Masters:
In the same interview, Barkley revealed he plays golf seven times a week. As an avid golfer, he frequently participates in pro-am golf tournaments. Earlier this year, he competed in the American Century Championship, held from July 12 to 14 at Edgewood Tahoe South, where he finished in 58th place after three rounds.
Barkley also participated in The Match last month, which featured Michael Phelps, Wayne Gretzky, and others. However, it was Gretzky who emerged victorious in the event.
Scottie Scheffler tops the 2025 Masters early odds
The early odds for the 2025 Masters are out, and Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win the Major. Scheffler has had an exceptional 2024 season, winning seven tournaments on the PGA Tour, an unofficial PGA Tour event, a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, and recently claiming victory at the Showdown.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Scheffler is the top favorite with odds of +450, followed by Rory McIlroy at +1100.
Here are the early odds for the 2025 Masters (via DraftKings Sportsbook):
- Scottie Scheffler +450
- Rory McIlroy +1100
- Jon Rahm +1200
- Ludvig Aberg +1400
- Xander Schauffele +1400
- Bryson DeChambeau +1800
- Viktor Hovland +2000
- Cam Smith +2000
- Collin Morikawa +2200
- Brooks Koepka +2200
- Jordan Spieth +2500
- Will Zalatoris +2800
- Max Homa +2800
- Hideki Matsuyama +2800
- Tommy Fleetwood +3000
- Patrick Cantlay +3000
- Joaquin Niemann +3000
- Cameron Young +3000
- Tony Finau +4000
- Justin Thomas +4000
Scottie Scheffler has won two Majors in his career so far, both at the Masters. He clinched his maiden Major in 2022. The World No. 1 played four rounds of 69, 67, 71, and 71 to register a three-shot win over Rory McIlroy at the 2022 Masters.
In 2023, Jon Rahm won the Major, but in 2024, it was Scottie Scheffler who claimed the green jacket again. He registered a four-shot win over Ludvig Aberg.