The 2026 Masters Tournament is underway, and the excitement is palpable as the world's best golfers take to Augusta National. With a field of 20 players having a legitimate chance of winning, the stage is set for a thrilling four days of golf. The opening tee shots are coming up at 12:40 pm UK time, with Johnny Keefer and Haotong Li leading the way. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, is among the early starters, teeing off just after half past 3. Other star names out early include Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Bryson DeChambeau, and Matthew Fitzpatrick.
The course is set up to be challenging, with firm and fast greens, and tricky pin placements, especially at the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 13th, and 15th holes. The weather conditions are ideal for Augusta bosses to set the course up however they like, and it appears they've gone tough for day one. The warm, dry weather means the course will play firm and fast, and the premium will be on controlling wedge shots and putting well.
The tournament is wide open, with a strong field of players having a legitimate chance of winning. The defending champion, Rory McIlroy, is hoping to become only the fourth man - and first in 24 years - after Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Sir Nick Faldo to win back-to-back Masters titles. Other favorites include Jon Rahm, who loves Augusta and is in good form, and Scottie Scheffler, who is among the favorites to win.
The honorary starters for the 2026 Masters are Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, who will hit ceremonial tee shots down the first fairway to open The Masters. The legendary trio are set to take their shots at 12:30 pm UK time (7:30 am local), which is 20 minutes before the first group teeing off.
The tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable event, with a strong field of players and a challenging course. The excitement is palpable as the world's best golfers take to Augusta National, and the tournament is sure to be a memorable one.
