Welcome to CaddyBytes' coverage of The Masters Tournament, golf's most prestigious and revered championship. Founded in 1934 by the legendary Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, The Masters stands alone as "A Tradition Unlike Any Other," where history is made and legends are born among the azaleas and towering pines of Augusta National Golf Club.
The Masters is the first major championship of the golf season and the only one played at the same course each year. The tournament features a select field of approximately 90-100 players, including past champions, major winners, top-ranked professionals, and elite amateurs who earn invitations through various qualifying criteria. The winner receives the iconic Green Jacket, symbolizing membership in one of golf's most exclusive clubs.
With a history spanning over nine decades, The Masters has crowned the sport's greatest champions including Jack Nicklaus (6 wins), Arnold Palmer (4 wins), Tiger Woods (5 wins), and the legendary modern champions like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Hideki Matsuyama. The tournament is renowned for its traditions - the Champions Dinner, Par 3 Contest, honorary starters, and the presentation of the Green Jacket - creating an atmosphere of reverence and excellence that defines golf at its highest level.
The Masters Tournament
2026 Masters Tournament
Tournament Details
Date: April 9-12, 2026
Location: Augusta National, Georgia
Field: ~90-100 Invited Players
Golf's most prestigious tournament.
Tournament DetailsMasters Tournament History (1934 - Present)
2026 Masters Tournament
90th Edition
Augusta National Golf Club
Field of ~90-100 invited players
$18+ million purse
Winner receives Green Jacket
2025 Masters Tournament
Recent Champion
Augusta National Golf Club
First major of the season
Features elite international field
Green Jacket presentation ceremony
2020s Masters Tournament
Modern Champions
Augusta National Golf Club
Scottie Scheffler won in 2022
Hideki Matsuyama champion in 2021
Jon Rahm claimed 2023 victory
2010s Masters Tournament
Historic Victories
Augusta National Golf Club
Tiger Woods won in 2019
Patrick Reed champion in 2018
Sergio Garcia won in 2017
2000s Masters Tournament
Tiger Woods Era
Augusta National Golf Club
Tiger Woods won in 2001, 2002, 2005
Phil Mickelson won in 2004, 2006, 2010
Course lengthened significantly
Tournament Format
Invitational Major
Select Field Competition
72-hole stroke play format
Top 50 and ties advance
No 36-hole cut for past champions
Iconic Venue
Augusta National Golf Club
Home of The Masters
Only major at same venue
Course Details:
Par 72, 7,545 yards
Masters Traditions
A Tradition Unlike Any Other
Green Jacket Ceremony
Green Jacket presentation
Par 3 Contest on Wednesday
Honorary starters ceremony
Historic Champions
Golf's Greatest Legends
Green Jacket Winners
Jack Nicklaus: 6 victories
Arnold Palmer: 4 victories
Tiger Woods: 5 victories
The Masters Tournament Legacy
The Masters Tournament has cultivated an unparalleled legacy as golf's most revered and prestigious championship since its inception in 1934. Created by golf legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts, the tournament was designed to be different from all others - an invitational event at a permanent home where excellence was expected and tradition was cherished. This vision created "A Tradition Unlike Any Other," a phrase that perfectly captures the unique atmosphere and enduring appeal of The Masters.
The tournament's significance extends far beyond its status as a major championship. The Masters represents golf's annual homecoming, where past champions return as honored guests, where amateur golf is celebrated through the inclusion of elite amateurs, and where the game's history is preserved through meticulous attention to tradition. The Green Jacket, awarded to the champion and kept at Augusta National, symbolizes not just victory but membership in one of sports' most exclusive fraternities.
Augusta National Golf Club itself is an integral part of The Masters' mystique. The course evolves each year while maintaining its essential character, with iconic holes like Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, and 13) testing the world's best under the most intense pressure. The club's commitment to perfection in presentation - from the flawless conditioning to the limited commercial presence - creates an environment where golf is the sole focus, undisturbed by the distractions that accompany other sporting events.
As The Masters approaches its centennial, it continues to balance tradition with innovation. While maintaining cherished rituals like the Champions Dinner, Par 3 Contest, and honorary starters, the tournament has embraced technology to enhance the viewing experience and expanded its global reach while preserving its intimate atmosphere. This delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future ensures that The Masters remains not just golf's premier event, but one of the world's most respected sporting competitions - a timeless celebration of excellence that continues to define what major championship golf should be.