Intoxicated man arrested for trying to sneak into Augusta National days before The Masters begins

Matthew Stroud, a 36-year-old South Carolina resident, was arrested for criminal trespassing at the iconic golf course.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:27pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, with the clubhouse and fairways broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of emerald green, azalea pink, and bright white, capturing the tense security atmosphere in the days before the Masters Tournament.A cubist interpretation of the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, where security remains tight in the lead-up to the prestigious Masters Tournament.Augusta Today

Just days before the 90th edition of The Masters golf tournament gets underway in Augusta, Georgia, a 36-year-old man was arrested for trying to sneak onto the Augusta National Golf Club property. Matthew Stroud, a South Carolina resident, was intoxicated when he approached patrons and asked for their tickets before being asked to leave. Stroud returned to the course and was subsequently arrested for criminal trespassing. He was later released on $285 bond.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most prestigious and high-profile sporting events in the world, drawing thousands of spectators to Augusta National each year. Incidents of trespassing or disruption at the iconic golf course are rare and taken very seriously by tournament organizers and local law enforcement.

The details

According to reports, Stroud approached attendees at Augusta National on Monday and asked them for their physical badges upon exiting the facility. He was asked to leave, but later returned and was arrested for criminal trespassing. Authorities confirmed that Stroud was intoxicated at the time of his arrest. He was taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and later released on $285 bond.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, April 7, 2026, just days before the 90th edition of The Masters tournament is set to begin on April 10, 2026.

The players

Matthew Stroud

A 36-year-old resident of Easley, South Carolina who was arrested for criminal trespassing at Augusta National Golf Club.

Augusta National Golf Club

The iconic golf course that hosts the annual Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in professional golf.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to allow Stroud to be released on bail at a hearing later this week.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the strict security measures in place at Augusta National Golf Club during the lead-up to the Masters Tournament, as well as the potential legal consequences for those who attempt to trespass on the iconic course.