2026 Masters: The tournament record players believe won't ever be broken

Golfers say the low score at Augusta National is now nearly impossible to beat.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective view of a golf course, with overlapping planes of green fairways, sand traps, and shadowy golfer silhouettes, conceptually representing the challenge of breaking long-standing tournament records.The Masters tournament's scoring records may be unbreakable as the course's increasing difficulty challenges even the world's best golfers.NYC Today

In the 2026 Masters tournament, several professional golfers have expressed doubt that the tournament's scoring record will ever be broken. The current record of 20-under par, set in 2021, is widely considered to be an almost unattainable feat given the increasing length and difficulty of the Augusta National course.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of golf's most prestigious major championships, and setting new tournament records is a significant accomplishment that can cement a player's legacy. However, the evolution of golf technology and course design has made Augusta National an even greater challenge, leading players to believe that the lowest score may have already been achieved.

The details

Golfers competing in the 2026 Masters have commented that the course's length, now over 7,800 yards, makes it nearly impossible to reach the 20-under par record set just five years ago. The combination of the course's length, the difficulty of the greens, and the mental pressure of the Masters have led players to conclude that the low score record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.

  • The current Masters scoring record of 20-under par was set in 2021.
  • The 2026 Masters tournament is taking place this week.

The players

Unnamed Golfer

A professional golfer competing in the 2026 Masters tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I can't see anybody going below 20 under. The course is so long now. It's too much course. It's a safe answer but it may not be correct the way people play today.”

— Unnamed Golfer

The takeaway

The evolution of golf course design and technology has made it increasingly challenging for players to break long-standing tournament records, even at prestigious events like the Masters. This suggests that some of the sport's most iconic scoring achievements may be destined to stand the test of time.