The 90th Masters Tournament begins Thursday, April 9 at Augusta National Golf Club, and this year’s edition carries a weight of anticipation unlike any in recent memory. For the first time, the best players from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf will compete in the same field, creating the strongest Masters lineup in years and delivering the unified competition that fans have demanded since golf’s fractious split.
With 92 players confirmed and storylines ranging from Rory McIlroy’s title defense to Scottie Scheffler’s quest for a third green jacket, here is everything you need to know heading into the year’s first major championship.
The Favorite: Scottie Scheffler
World number one Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming betting favorite to win his third Masters title. The 29-year-old American has been the dominant force in professional golf since his breakthrough Augusta victory in 2022, and his 2025 campaign — which included PGA Championship and Open Championship titles — established him as the most complete player in the game.
Scheffler’s game is tailor-made for Augusta National. His iron play is among the most precise on tour, his distance off the tee allows him to shorten the par-5s, and his improved putting on fast, undulating greens has eliminated what was once considered his only weakness. He arrives at Augusta having already switched to the TaylorMade Qi4D driver this season, joining the growing list of elite players who have adopted the new aerodynamic design.
The Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy finally conquered Augusta last April, ending years of close calls with a playoff victory over Justin Rose that completed his career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman’s emotional triumph was one of golf’s great sporting stories, and he returns as defending champion with every intention of going back-to-back.
However, McIlroy is managing a back injury that has cast some uncertainty over his preparation. While he has declared himself fit to play, his practice schedule has been modified, and the physical demands of four rounds at hilly Augusta National will test his body as much as his game. How he manages his energy over the week could be the decisive factor in his title defense.
LIV Golf Players in the Field
Eleven LIV Golf players have qualified for the 2026 Masters through various exemption categories, making this the most significant co-mingling of the rival circuits since the 2022 split. The LIV contingent includes former major champions who remain formidable contenders at Augusta.
Bryson DeChambeau, whose five-year Masters exemption stems from his 2024 U.S. Open victory at Pinehurst No. 2, has been in exceptional form on the LIV circuit. His prodigious length off the tee is a significant advantage at Augusta, where the par-5s offer birdie and eagle opportunities to big hitters. Jon Rahm, who qualified through a top-five finish at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, brings major championship pedigree and a burning desire to prove that his move to LIV has not diminished his competitive edge.
Cameron Smith’s qualification is poignant — his exemption from winning the 2022 Open Championship expires after this year’s Masters, making this potentially his last trip to Augusta under current qualification rules. With LIV Golf’s recent shift to 72-hole events, these players arrive with more competitive preparation than in previous years.
Course Changes at the 17th
Augusta National has shortened the par-4 17th hole for 2026, a modification that could significantly affect scoring down the stretch. The detailed analysis of the 17th hole changes suggests that while the hole plays shorter, the new setup may actually make the green more difficult to hold, adding strategic complexity rather than simply reducing difficulty.
The tournament will also feature a new three-story Player Services Building for the first time, reflecting Augusta National’s ongoing investment in infrastructure while maintaining the course’s timeless character.
Other Contenders to Watch
Beyond Scheffler and McIlroy, several players have legitimate chances at the green jacket. Xander Schauffele, the 2024 PGA Championship winner, has finished in the top ten at Augusta multiple times and possesses the all-around game to contend. Collin Morikawa’s ball-striking precision makes him a perpetual threat at major championships, and his iron play on approach shots to Augusta’s demanding greens could be the key to a breakthrough.
Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Wyndham Clark represent the next generation of major championship contenders, each bringing different strengths that suit various aspects of Augusta National’s unique demands. And the presence of Tiger Woods remains the perennial question mark — following his back surgery in October 2025 and his busy schedule with the Trout National course opening, Woods has given no indication whether he will add his name to the field.
What Amateurs Can Learn
Watching the Masters is one of the best learning opportunities in golf. Pay attention to course management decisions — how the best players in the world choose conservative or aggressive lines based on pin positions, wind conditions, and their position on the leaderboard. Augusta rewards patience and precision over raw aggression on most holes, a lesson that translates directly to amateur play.
The putting surfaces at Augusta are among the fastest and most contoured in championship golf. Watch how professionals lag putt to safe zones rather than attacking every pin, and how they read the dramatic slopes on greens like the 9th and 16th. Developing your own mental game and confidence on the greens is one of the fastest paths to lower scores, and studying how Masters competitors manage pressure situations provides a masterclass in competitive psychology.
The 2026 Masters airs April 9-12 on ESPN and CBS, with featured group coverage available through the Masters app and masters.com. With the strongest field in years and storylines that span the full spectrum of professional golf, this promises to be a Masters for the ages.
