Who's going to break through and win their first major in 2026?

The first round of the Masters begins in 94 days, ending a streak of almost nine months without major championship golf.

The majors are the four biggest weeks of the year in men's professional golf, and beginning at Augusta National, it's the four weeks all players want to peak at to try to secure their status among the best in the game.

However, they're also the hardest titles to win. There's the history, the prestige, the pressure and so much more than comes in the 72 holes of majors. Many have melted down the stretch. Those who have risen to the occasion are among the sport's best.

However, plenty of top players remain in search of their first major championship. Heading into 2026, with majors set for Augusta National, Aronimink, Shinnecock Hills and Royal Birkdale, which players are in the best position to earn their first major championship win?

Take a look at who our Golfweek staff thinks is going to become a first-time major winner in 2026:

Adam Schupak: Ludvig Aberg

Part of me just wants to double down on my pick of a couple of years ago that Viktor Hovland will be the next first-time major winner. But Ludvig Aberg showed me enough the way he closed out victory at Torrey Pines last year and he’s sniffed contention at Pinehurst and on the back nine at his first two Masters. Plus, the Swede’s game should translate to any of the four majors. Sure, his short game could use some polish but if it improves he’s going to be a menace in 2026 and will nab his first major.

Cameron Jourdan: Tommy Fleetwood

It's time. Just like it was time for years and years and years for Tommy Lad to finally win in the United States, it's time for him to win a major championship. He has been in contention numerous times over the years, with his best finish being solo second in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Where is the U.S. Open this year? Shinnecock. The last round Fleetwood played there? He shot 7-under 63. Look out for Tommy.

Nick Stavas: Joaquin Niemann

Despite all the recent antics surrounding LIV Golf — namely the constant format changes and the departure of arguably its biggest star — there are still some really, really good players in the league. Joaquin Niemann is one of them. The man they call Joaco racked up five victories on LIV in 2025 and won each by an average of three shots. He somehow still lost the season-long title race to a guy with no wins (Jon Rahm), which didn't make a ton of sense, but I digress. Granted, Niemann's track record in majors is not good, but he finally cracked the top 10 at last year's PGA Championship and I think LIV's shift to 72-hole events certainly can't hurt in preparing its players for major competition.