Key Takeaways
Tournament Overview
The 90th Masters Tournament takes place April 9-13, 2026 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. As the first major championship of the year, the Masters consistently produces the most dramatic narratives in professional golf. This year, Tiger Woods' absence following his March DUI arrest leaves an emotional void, but the battle for the Green Jacket features a stacked field of world-class contenders.
With a record $20 million purse and the champion earning approximately $3.6 million, the 2026 Masters is also the richest in Augusta history. The 7,556-yard, par-72 layout retains its legendary beauty, from blooming azaleas to those pristine fairways painted in the distinctive colors of a Georgia spring.
-> If you placed a $100 bet on frontrunner Scottie Scheffler at +500 odds, you would pocket $600 should he claim victory.
Scottie Scheffler: Chasing History
Scottie Scheffler enters the 2026 Masters at +500 odds — the undisputed betting favorite. The 29-year-old Texan holds back-to-back Green Jackets (2024, 2025) and aims to become only the fourth player in history to win three consecutive Masters titles, joining Jimmy Demaret, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Scheffler has dominated the PGA Tour with staggering form: four wins in his first six starts of the 2025-26 season, including The Players Championship.
History, however, shows the pressure of a "three-peat" is immense. Tiger Woods was the last to achieve it (2001-02), and before him, Jack Nicklaus (1963-66, winning 3 of 4). If Scheffler succeeds, it would rank among the greatest achievements in modern golf.
-> Scheffler has earned over $35 million in prize money in the last two seasons alone. A third Green Jacket would push his Masters career earnings to nearly $11 million.
Top Contenders at a Glance
Beyond Scheffler, a deep field of elite talent is ready to challenge at Augusta. Each contender brings a unique storyline and different form heading into Masters week.
Defending champion. Completed Career Grand Slam in 2025. 4 major titles, 24 PGA Tour wins.
2023 Masters champion. Moved to LIV Golf but remains eligible for Augusta invitations.
28-year-old Norwegian in peak form. Two top-5 Masters finishes, outstanding iron play.
2 major titles (2020 PGA, 2021 Open). Statistically the most accurate iron player on the PGA Tour.
Won 2024 PGA Championship. Consistently finishes top 10 at Augusta, including runner-up in 2019.
-> If you follow betting lines, the aggregate "field" odds (anyone outside the top 10 favorites) sit around +300 — meaning an outsider winning is more common than you might think.
Tiger Woods' Absence: The Elephant in the Room
For the first time since Tiger Woods' run of 27 consecutive Masters appearances (1995-2025, minus injury years), the 5-time Augusta champion will not be in the field. His March 2026 DUI arrest led Augusta National to withhold his invitation. Read more at Tiger Woods DUI arrest 2026.
Woods' absence is not merely losing a competitor — it is losing the tournament's greatest icon. Masters TV ratings jumped 40% whenever Tiger was in Sunday contention, and his mere presence on the practice range generated headlines. This year's tournament will test whether a new generation of stars can carry the same gravity.
-> CBS and ESPN expect the 2026 Masters ad revenue could dip 15-20% compared to last year due to Tiger's absence — translating to roughly $25-30 million in affected advertising revenue.
Amen Corner: Where Champions Are Made
Amen Corner — holes 11, 12, and 13 — is the most famous stretch of holes in world golf. Named by sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind in 1958, these three holes have witnessed more championship drama than any other section of any course. Tap each hole to explore.
-> From 2010 to 2025, an average of 12 double bogeys or worse occurred at Amen Corner per Masters week — more than any other 3 consecutive holes on the PGA Tour.
Schedule and Broadcast Guide
The 2026 Masters broadcasts live on CBS, ESPN, and Paramount+. Here is the complete schedule for each competition day.
| Day | Round | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Apr 9 | Round 1 | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM | ESPN / Paramount+ |
| Fri Apr 10 | Round 2 | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM | ESPN / Paramount+ |
| Sat Apr 11 | Round 3 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| Sun Apr 12 | Final Round | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
-> The Sunday final round at 2:00 PM ET translates to 1:00 AM Monday in Vietnam (GMT+7). Paramount+ offers streaming at $5.99/month for cord-cutters.
Augusta National: By the Numbers
Augusta National is a course unlike any other. Here are the key numbers that help explain why this layout produces such dramatic competition.
-> A Stimpmeter reading of 13.5 means the ball rolls an average of 13.5 feet on the greens. For comparison, a typical course reads 8-9 — Augusta's greens are about 1.5x faster than normal.
McIlroy's Title Defense
Rory McIlroy enters the 2026 Masters as defending champion and world number 2. His 2025 victory completed the Career Grand Slam — winning all four major championships — after years of near-misses at Augusta. McIlroy now holds 4 major titles (2011 US Open, 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, 2025 Masters) and 24 PGA Tour victories.
History, however, shows that successfully defending a Masters title is exceedingly difficult. Only 3 players have done it: Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02). McIlroy's +800 odds reflect both respect for his game and the statistical difficulty of the task.
-> Since 2000, only 4 of 25 defending champions finished top 10 the following year. McIlroy will need to buck the historical trend to retain the Green Jacket.
Dark Horses and Storylines to Watch
The Masters always produces surprises. Hideki Matsuyama (2021 champion) is in strong form with 2 wins this season and represents excellent dark horse value at +2500. Ludvig Aberg, the 24-year-old Swede, cracked the top 10 on his Masters debut and is widely seen as European golf's next great hope.
Another storyline is the LIV Golf factor. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith — all major champions — remain invited to the Masters despite joining LIV. They aim to prove that elite golf can thrive outside the PGA Tour ecosystem. Additionally, this is the first Masters in many years without Tiger Woods, creating space for younger players to seize the spotlight on golf's grandest stage.
-> 5 of the last 10 Masters champions had pre-tournament odds of +1500 or longer — showing that underdogs regularly produce upsets at Augusta.
5 Things to Watch
Only 3 players have ever won 3 consecutive Masters. The pressure of expectations and media scrutiny will be Scheffler's biggest test.
A successful Masters defense has not happened since Tiger Woods in 2002. McIlroy has the skill and experience, but history is against him.
Viewership and betting handle typically spike when Tiger competes. This year tests whether the tournament can maintain its gravitational pull without its greatest icon.
LIV players like Rahm, DeChambeau, and Smith can prove they still compete at the highest level. A LIV golfer winning would be a powerful statement.
As the race tightens in the final round, Amen Corner always delivers historic turning points. Watch hole 12 — Golden Bell — where many dreams have shattered.
Discover more major sporting events in 2026 on the ZestLab trends page.
References
- ESPN — 2026 Masters Tournament Preview and Field Analysis — April 2026
- PGA Tour — Masters Tournament Official Page and Statistics — April 2026
- Augusta National Golf Club — Official Tournament Information — April 2026
- Golf Digest — Masters 2026 Betting Odds and Contender Breakdown — April 2026