The 90th Masters Tournament is officially underway at Augusta National, and defending champion Rory McIlroy has begun what could be one of the most consequential rounds of his career. McIlroy, who won his first green jacket in dramatic fashion last year after beating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, teed off at 10:31 a.m. ET alongside Cameron Young and U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell — seeking to become just the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back Masters titles.
The morning session has already produced early fireworks, with Haotong Li among the first players to post a strong score and yesterday’s Par 3 Contest hero Keegan Bradley looking to carry his Augusta form into the real thing.
McIlroy’s Historic Quest
Nobody has defended the Masters title since Tiger Woods in 2001-02. Before that, only Jack Nicklaus (1965-66) and Nick Faldo (1989-90) achieved back-to-back green jackets. McIlroy joining that list would be remarkable enough, but the context makes it even more compelling: last year’s victory completed the career Grand Slam that had eluded him for over a decade, ending the longest-running narrative in modern golf.
McIlroy described the past 12 months as “amazing” during his Tuesday press conference, saying he has “tried to embrace and enjoy every part of life” as Masters champion. The world number two arrived in Augusta after a deliberate three-week competitive break, looking refreshed and relaxed — a demeanor that contrasts sharply with the tension that characterized his previous Masters campaigns when the Grand Slam pressure was at its peak.
His pre-shot routine and course management approach have evolved considerably since his early Augusta struggles, and the freedom of playing as defending champion rather than desperate Grand Slam chaser could be the decisive psychological difference this week.
Scheffler: The Betting Favorite Returns
Scottie Scheffler is once again the oddsmakers’ pick to win, a reflection of his extraordinary consistency at Augusta National. The world number one has finished in the top five at each of his last four Masters appearances and won the tournament in 2022. Like McIlroy, Scheffler took a three-week break before this week, timing his preparation peak for the year’s first major.
Scheffler’s ball-striking precision — he led the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approach last season — is tailor-made for Augusta National’s demanding approach shots. The course rewards players who can consistently find specific quadrants of the greens, and Scheffler’s iron play gives him more birdie looks per round than virtually anyone in the field.
Course Changes: The Longer 17th Hole
Augusta National has lengthened the 17th hole (Nandina) by 10 yards for 2026, bringing it to 450 yards. The change adds teeth to a hole that had become one of the easier par 4s on the back nine, with many players reaching it with mid-irons. The extra distance could make the difference between a comfortable approach and a pressure-packed long iron into one of Augusta’s most treacherous green complexes — particularly relevant for Sunday’s back-nine drama.
The tournament also features a new three-story Player Services Building, though that’s an off-course amenity rather than a competitive factor. More relevantly, the $21 million purse represents another record for the tournament.
What to Watch for Today
Round 1 at Augusta often rewards patience. The course’s firm, fast greens and strategic pin positions punish aggressive play early in the week, and the leaders after 18 holes are often not the names you’d expect. The key indicators to watch are driving accuracy on the narrow fairways, particularly at the tree-lined doglegs on holes 2, 5, 10, and 13, and putting speed control on the famously slick greens.
For amateur golfers looking to take something from the Masters into their own game, managing pressure is the universal lesson Augusta teaches every year. The best players in the world still make bogeys when the stakes are highest. The difference is how they respond on the next hole — a mental skill that translates directly to any competitive round, regardless of level.
How to Watch
ESPN has live coverage from 3 to 7:30 p.m. ET for rounds one and two, with new-for-2026 early streaming on Amazon Prime Video from 1 to 3 p.m. ET. The Masters website and app also provide featured group and featured hole coverage throughout the day. CBS takes over for weekend coverage on Saturday and Sunday.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Masters is underway with McIlroy chasing history, Scheffler seeking his second green jacket, and a field of 91 players — including last week’s Valero Texas Open winner J.J. Spaun riding form — battling across Augusta National’s 7,545 yards. With the longest 17th hole in tournament history, a record purse, and a defending champion playing with the freedom of a completed Grand Slam, this week has all the ingredients for a memorable tournament. Follow along as the leaderboard develops.
