Players Prepare for 90th Masters Tournament

Top golfers hit the course at Augusta National for practice rounds ahead of the prestigious event.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant shades of green, white, and blue, conceptually representing the strategic challenges and competitive spirit of the Masters golf tournament.A cubist interpretation of the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, deconstructed into a dynamic geometric composition that captures the strategic complexity and competitive intensity of the Masters Tournament.Augusta Today

The 90th Masters Tournament is set to tee off this Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club, with a field of 91 golfers competing for the coveted green jacket. Monday marked the first practice round for the current players, who are fine-tuning their games and strategies ahead of the prestigious event.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most iconic and prestigious golf tournaments in the world, drawing the top players from across the globe to compete on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. As the first major championship of the year, the Masters sets the tone for the rest of the golf season and often provides early indications of which players are in top form.

The details

The current field of 91 players is down from last year's 96, which was the seventh-largest field in the tournament's history. Qualification for the Masters is earned through world ranking, performance at other tournaments, and exemptions for previous winners. Top-ranked players like Collin Morikawa, Harris English, and Xander Schauffele were on the course Monday, focusing on their short game and putting as they prepare for the challenging conditions at Augusta National.

  • The 90th Masters Tournament will begin on Thursday, April 11, 2026 and conclude on Sunday, April 14, 2026.
  • Monday, April 6, 2026 marked the first practice round for the current field of 91 golfers at Augusta National Golf Club.

The players

Collin Morikawa

A top-10 ranked player in the world who has been dealing with back issues ahead of the Masters.

Harris English

A former University of Georgia golfer who is ranked No. 12 in the world and is focusing on his short game and putting ahead of the tournament.

Xander Schauffele

The world's 10th-ranked player who emphasized the importance of speed on the greens and proper positioning at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy

The current world No. 2 and defending Masters champion.

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What they’re saying

“The honest truth is I'm taking it day by day. It's not exactly where I want to be. It's unfortunate, but that's just the body, and I can't push it. It's been a little bit of a mental battle, I think, just trying to trust where it's at. The back actually feels fine. It's just other parts of the body not cooperating a little bit.”

— Collin Morikawa

“I think short game is a big key out here. Bunker play, striking your chips well because there's a big difference when chipping at seven or eight feet or chipping in to three feet. I think that's a big key. That's kind of what I'm focusing on a lot leading up to this tournament. This afternoon, I'm going to do some short game and putting.”

— Harris English

“Speed on the greens is going to be crucial, as always, with them being firm and fast. So, a big accomplishment to keep three putts off the card. I think that's always a big goal here at Augusta [National Golf Club]. And then positioning, if you can really be disciplined, make sure your good shots are great, but then make sure your bad shots are in the correct spots.”

— Xander Schauffele

What’s next

The 90th Masters Tournament will begin on Thursday, April 11, 2026 and conclude on Sunday, April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

As the first major championship of the year, the Masters sets the tone for the rest of the golf season. The top players in the world are fine-tuning their games and strategies on the challenging Augusta National course, with a focus on short game, putting, and course management as they aim to capture the coveted green jacket.