Masters Tees Off with Familiar Faces Missing

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson absent from 2026 tournament field for first time since 1994

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the Masters Tournament, with overlapping planes of green fairways, white bunkers, and silhouetted golfers in motion, capturing the energy and competition of the event.The 2026 Masters Tournament unfolds with a new generation of golfers vying for the coveted green jacket, as the event's most iconic figures remain absent.Augusta Today

The 90th Masters Tournament has arrived, but the field will be missing some of golf's biggest stars as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both absent from the event for the first time since 1994. The tournament features a field of 91 players, including 6 amateurs, 22 first-timers, 17 past champions, and 10 LIV golfers. Despite the notable absences, the focus remains on the action at Augusta National, where recent Masters winners have all shot par or better in the first round.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of golf's most prestigious events, and the absence of Woods and Mickelson, who have a combined 8 green jackets, marks a significant shift in the tournament's landscape. Their presence has long been a major draw for fans, and their absence will be felt as the next generation of golfers looks to make their mark at Augusta.

The details

The first round of the 2026 Masters tees off on Thursday, April 9, with coverage starting at 7:30am ET on Masters.com. Featured groups and holes will be streamed on various platforms, before ESPN takes over the main TV broadcast. The field includes 91 players, with 6 amateurs, 22 first-timers, 17 past champions, and 10 golfers from the LIV tour. Recent Masters winners have all shot par or better in the first round, a trend that will be closely watched as players look to get off to a strong start.

  • The first round of the 2026 Masters begins on Thursday, April 9.
  • The honorary starters will kick off the proceedings live on Masters.com at 7:30am ET.
  • Featured groups and holes coverage starts at 8:45am ET on Masters.com, the ESPN app, Paramount+, and Prime Video.
  • ESPN will take over the main TV broadcast starting at 10:00am ET.

The players

Tiger Woods

A 15-time major champion and 5-time Masters winner, Woods is not playing in the tournament for the first time since 1994.

Phil Mickelson

A 3-time Masters champion, Mickelson is also absent from the field, marking the first time since 1994that both he and Woods are not playing.

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What’s next

The focus will remain on the action at Augusta National, where recent Masters winners have all shot par or better in the first round. The tournament will unfold over the next four days, with the winner being crowned on Sunday.

The takeaway

The absence of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, two of golf's most iconic figures, marks a significant shift in the landscape of the Masters. While their presence will be missed, the tournament provides an opportunity for the next generation of golfers to make their mark and create new traditions at this storied event.