Hosted at the Augusta National Golf Club in western Georgia, the annual Masters Tournament drew the top ranked golfers in the world for four days of intense competition. The tournament, originating in 1934, is the smallest major golf championship, only featuring around 90 participants each year with the course having a total of 72 holes. As the 90th edition of the tournament kicked off on April 9, 2026, the world’s top golfers set off on their chase for the prestigious green jacket.
Going into the tournament, several golfers emerged as one of the tournament’s top contenders. Some include Americans Scottie Scheffler, the winner of the masters in both 2022 and 2024, and Bryson DeChambeau, who won both the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open. Alongside Scheffler and DeChambeau, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm was a projected favorite with victories in both the 2023 Masters and the 2021 U.S. open as well as 11 PGA tour wins. Northern Ireland Native Rory McIlroy attempted to defend his Masters title and be the first to win back to back Masters tournaments since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. 18-year-old Mason Howell was the youngest competitor on the course, claiming his spot after winning the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2025.
Throughout the tournament, Scheffler asserted his position as one of the top contenders, with a 74% par percentage. Additionally,Scheffler had a seven and under finish in the third round. However, DeChambeau, another fan favorite, missed the cut for round three with a triple bogey on hole 18 in the second round. On the other hand, McIlroy had a large lead after 36 holes with an impressive 33% birdie percentage. Justin Rose, an English golfer, started the tournament 4-under on the first nine, but this was later counteracted with bogeys on holes 11 and 12. Despite the less than ideal performances on the previous holes, Rose was able to make a birdie on hole 15, but it was not enough to move to the front of the pack with McIlroy and Scheffler.
In the final round, McIlroy and Scheffler were in a close competition for the title, with McIlroy finishing just one stroke below the American. The 36-year-old closed out the tournament with a score of -12, a 55.4% driving accuracy percentage, 24 birdies and 330.4 yards per drive. Scheffler came a close second with a score of –11 while there was a four way tie for third between Rose, Russell Henley, Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Young who all finished with a score of -10. These scores were surprisingly low compared to past years with a multitude of the competitors shooting in the 60s during the third round.
McIlroy had four strokes on the 11th hole, making par, to gain a small lead, to gain a one stroke lead. Following his success on the 11th, McIlroy’s tee shot on the 12th hole landed just 7 feet from the hole. His eventual birdie put McIlroy at a two-shot advantage. McIlroy continued his competitive play with a 350-yard drive on the 13th hole. For his third shot, McIlroy putted 11 feet for a birdie, giving him a three-shot lead with only five holes remaining.
As the Masters closed on Sunday, April 12, golfers reflected on their growth and accomplishments throughout the four day competition. Upcoming tournaments include the PGA Championship in mid-May, The Zurich Classic in late April and continued LIV tournaments throughout the month of May in Mexico.
