Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The Masters 2026 Tournament, the 90th edition of one of the world's most prestigious major golf championships, has officially kicked off at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, United States.
This major event will take place from April 9th to 12th, 2026, after exciting practice rounds began on April 6th.
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Rory McIlroy, the defending champion from the 2025 edition, once again showed his impressive form at the start of the tournament.
The tournament's opening ceremony was marked by the presence of golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player, symbolically marking the start of the intense competition.
With a total of 91 players competing, including former champions and young talents, the 2026 Masters promises drama and unforgettable moments.
The world's best golfers gather to compete for the iconic Green Jacket, a symbol of supremacy in the world of golf.
Tight Competition on the 2026 Masters Early Leaderboard
The first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament concluded on April 9, 2026, presenting a very tight competition on the early leaderboard.
Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, immediately stepped on the gas and shared the top spot with Sam Burns.
Both shot impressive scores of 5-under 67, demonstrating their readiness to compete for golf's championship.
Behind them, Kurt Kitayama, Jason Day, and Patrick Reed also put in solid performances, sharing third place, each at 3-under.
Meanwhile, big names like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry are not to be left behind, sitting at 2-under and poised to make a push for the top spot.
A surprise came from Haotong Li of China, who became the first player to enter the clubhouse under par in the first round, shooting 1-under.
Fantastic Prizes and Prestigious Benefits
The Masters Tournament has always been known for its lucrative prize money, and the 2026 edition is expected to be no different.
Although the official announcement of the total prize money is usually made on the Saturday of the tournament, after the 36-hole cutoff, estimates can be seen from previous years.
The total prize money in 2025 reached $21 million, with the winner, Rory McIlroy, taking home $4.2 million.
This represents a significant increase from the $20 million in 2024 and the $18 million in 2023.
The 2025 winner receives 20% of the total prize pool.
Professional players who make the cutoff are guaranteed a minimum of $51,000, while those who do not make the cutoff still receive $25,000.
In addition to the prize money, the winner also receives 750 FedEx Cup points, 100 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, and a lifetime entry into the Masters and a spot in three other major tournaments over the next five years—a significant advantage for a professional golfer's career.
Player List and Unique Traditions
A total of 91 of the world's best players are participating in the 2026 Masters Tournament, guaranteeing a high-quality golf spectacle.
Among them, eighteen former Masters champions are returning, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Dustin Johnson, all of whom have Green Jacket experience.
In addition to the champions, six amateurs are also competing, including U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell, who gets a golden opportunity to test their skills on golf's biggest stage.
Other prominent names like Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Ludvig Åberg also make up the field, adding to the long list of talents ready to compete.
The Masters Tournament is also rich in traditions that set it apart from other golf championships.
One of the most iconic traditions is the Green Jacket, first awarded to the winner in 1949.
Another equally exciting tradition is the Champions Dinner, where defending champion Rory McIlroy will choose the menu for the former champions' dinner on April 7, 2026, continuing a tradition started by Ben Hogan in 1952.
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most Masters titles with six wins, while Tiger Woods became the youngest winner in 1997 at age 21.
Only three players have successfully defended their titles—Nicklaus, Woods, and Nick Faldo.