Jackson Reid
The Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in sports, is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament, which was first held in 1934, takes place over seven days in April, with tournament rounds typically running from Wednesday to Sunday. The event is by invitation only, with the top 50 in the world receiving an invite, along with players who meet other categories. Winners of the tournament receive a coveted green jacket, which they are permitted to take off the grounds for one year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia |
| Year | 2026 |
| Dates | Monday, April 6 to Sunday, April 12 |
| Tournament Rounds | April 9-12 |
| Practice Rounds | Monday to Wednesday |
| Par 3 Contest | Wednesday |
| Prize Money | $11.5 million |
| Winner's Prize Money | $2.07 million |
| Runner-up Prize Money | $1.242 million |
| Third Place Prize Money | $782,000 |
| 50th Place Prize Money | $28,980 |
| Ticket Price | $75 to $125 |
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What You'll Learn
The Masters Tournament
The tournament has a rich history, with the Augusta National course first opening in 1933. The idea for the course originated with amateur golf champion Bobby Jones, who, after retiring from the game, acquired the former indigo plantation and plant nursery with the help of investment banker Clifford Roberts. Jones and course architect Alister MacKenzie co-designed the course, which was modified several times before the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934. The tournament was won by Horton Smith and renamed The Masters in 1939.
The Masters has been dominated by some of golf's biggest names, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus, who collectively won 11 titles between 1960 and 1978. Nicklaus holds the record for the most Masters wins with six, while Tiger Woods won five between 1997 and 2019. The tournament has several traditions, including awarding a green jacket to the champion, which they must return to the clubhouse the following year. The Champions Dinner is another tradition, held on the Tuesday before each Masters exclusively for past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club.
The Masters week offers a full seven days of golf, with practice rounds and the Par 3 Contest held before the tournament rounds, which run from Thursday to Sunday. The tournament attracts visitors from all over, with Augusta offering a wealth of experiences, from top hotels and restaurants to unique shopping spots and local attractions.
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Augusta National Golf Club
The club has hosted the Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, annually since 1934. It is the only major tournament played at the same course every year. The 2026 Masters Tournament will take place from April 6 to April 12, with tournament rounds running from April 9 to April 12. The practice rounds, including the Par 3 contest, are the only times cameras are permitted on the course. The Par 3 contest is played on a separate 9-hole course, and players often have family members or their children caddy for them.
Augusta National is unique among private clubs as it operates as a for-profit corporation and does not disclose financial information such as income, holdings, ticket sales, or its membership list. The club has spent significant amounts on land acquisition, impacting homeowners in Richmond County, who have had to apply for special property tax assessments to counteract the effects of the club's activities.
The course at Augusta National is renowned for its distinctive features. Each hole is named after the tree or shrub associated with it. The club has used Spruce Pine sand to fill its bunkers since the early 1970s, a practice initiated after Clifford Roberts visited the Linville Golf Club in North Carolina, which used the same material.
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Practice rounds
The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is a highlight of the golfing calendar, with the best players in the world competing against one another. The practice rounds at Augusta offer an intriguing insight into the world of professional golf and how players prepare for a major tournament.
The practice rounds at Augusta are held on the Monday and Tuesday before the main tournament begins on Thursday. These practice days provide an opportunity for golfers to familiarize themselves with the course, work on their game, and fine-tune their strategies. It is a time when players can be observed honing their skills, from their swing technique to their putting accuracy.
During the practice rounds, players can be seen utilizing various training aids and technology to enhance their performance. They may focus on specific aspects of their game, such as flighting shots to account for windy conditions or perfecting their putting on the practice green. It is a period of intense preparation, with players also managing their physical and mental conditioning, nutrition, and sleep schedules.
The practice rounds are also notable as they are the only time cameras are permitted on the course during the tournament week. This creates a unique atmosphere, allowing spectators and the media to capture images and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective of the players in a more relaxed setting. It provides an opportunity to witness the pros in a different light, showcasing their personalities and interactions with fellow competitors, as well as their practice routines.
Tickets for the practice rounds are available for purchase, providing golf enthusiasts with a chance to observe the world's top players up close as they prepare for the prestigious Augusta tournament. It is a chance to learn from the best, understand their dedication to the craft, and appreciate the meticulous planning and execution that goes into their performance.
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Par 3 contest
The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is a prestigious golf event that attracts top players from around the world. One of the most beloved traditions associated with the tournament is the Par 3 Contest, which takes place on Wednesday before the main tournament rounds. The Par 3 Contest has been a highlight of the Masters since 1960, when Sam Snead won the inaugural competition.
The Par 3 Contest is played on a separate nine-hole course designed by George Cobb and Cliff Roberts, located on the northeast corner of Augusta National. This course offers a unique challenge for the players and provides a more intimate and relaxed setting for spectators. Players often invite family members to caddy for them, adding to the friendly atmosphere.
The Par 3 Contest is known for being a light-hearted and entertaining affair, with players and their families enjoying the game. It is also an opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills before the main tournament. The contest has produced many memorable moments, including Tom Watson's achievement in 1982 when he became the only player to hold both the Par 3 Contest and Masters Tournament titles simultaneously.
In recent years, the Par 3 Contest has continued to provide exciting moments and heartwarming stories. In 2023, for example, Hoge won the contest with a score of 6-under, showcasing his prowess on the course. The 2025 contest featured three aces by Keegan Bradley, Tom Hoge, and Brooks Koepka, and a heartwarming moment when Rory McIlroy's daughter, Poppy, drained a lengthy putt at the ninth hole.
The Par 3 Contest at Augusta is a beloved tradition that combines golf excellence with family involvement and light-hearted fun. It offers a unique opportunity for players to connect with their families and create memorable moments, all while showcasing their skills on a challenging nine-hole course. This contest is a highlight for both participants and spectators, adding to the rich history and tradition of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Ticket lottery
The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most prestigious events in the golfing calendar. Getting tickets to the event is notoriously difficult, but there are a few ways to try and secure them.
The first, and most affordable, is to enter the ticket lottery. This is a lucky draw, where patrons are randomly selected to be eligible to purchase ground passes for specific tournament rounds. The odds of winning are estimated to be as low as 0.55%, but it is free to apply, and there is no downside to having an account with the Masters to receive updates. To enter the lottery, you must create an account on Masters.com, providing your name, email, and creating a password. You must be over 21 to apply, but anyone can attend the tournament.
The second way is to buy tickets from a secondhand source, although this is not recommended. Augusta National is the only authorized seller for Masters tickets, and the resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. Tickets acquired from third parties may be cancelled, and the buyer banned from future lotteries. Tickets on the secondary market are also extremely expensive, with day passes costing thousands of dollars, and a week badge costing up to $10,000.
The third option is to become a PGA Pro, at which point you can request a ticket for personal use.
The lottery for the 2026 Masters opened in June 2025, with a deadline of June 20. The process involves logging in to your account, reviewing and confirming your information, and then being brought to the ticket application page. You must make a ticket selection for each day, with a maximum of four tickets for practice rounds and two for tournament rounds. You can only win tickets for one day. Selected fans will be notified in late July.
Prices for 2026 tickets have not yet been announced, but 2025 prices were $100 per day for practice rounds, $140 per day for tournament tickets, and $450 for a four-day tournament badge.
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Frequently asked questions
The Augusta golf tournament, also known as The Masters, takes place annually in April.
The Augusta golf tournament is held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Tickets to the Augusta golf tournament are highly sought-after and can be obtained through a lottery system or by purchasing them on the secondary market.
The winner of the Augusta golf tournament receives a coveted green jacket, which they can take off the grounds for one year, as well as a substantial cash prize. In 2021, the winner's purse was $2.07 million.
