Endowed with prestige and tradition, the Masters is the most keenly anticipated golf tournament of the year.
Conducted by the membership of Augusta National, the Masters is an invitational event that routinely produces the most thrilling golf competition of the year. For those lucky enough to secure tickets, this genteel tournament, starting with the perfectly manicured course, is simply one of the finest sporting events in the world, in the same class as the Kentucky Derby, Wimbledon, and the World Series (or the World Cup).
Since 1934, the Masters has witnessed some of the game’s most dramatic moments. The tournament is held on a verdant stage unique to golf, a magnificent parkland spread framed by blooming azaleas, flowering dogwoods and towering pines. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the coveted Green Jacket—along with a place in Masters history.
‘A Tradition Unlike Any Other’
Here are the basics leading up to this year’s Masters, to be held April 10 – 13.
1. The Club.
Augusta National was built over 90 years ago on a former nursery in Augusta, Georgia. Club co-founders Bobby Jones, the legendary amateur who dominated the game from the early 1920s through 1930, and Clifford Roberts, an astute businessman, organized an invitational golf tournament to draw exposure and revenue for the club during the Depression years. The inaugural Augusta National Invitational was played in 1934. Five years later, the tournament officially became known as the Masters.
2. The Course.
Unlike the other majors—the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship (a.k.a. the British Open)–the Masters returns to the same venue every year. As patrons and TV viewers can attest, Augusta National is the most exquisitely beautiful inland course in the world, never more so than in the spring. Designed by Alister Mackenzie, a Scottish physician turned course architect, and Jones, who sought to create an inland version of the Old Course at St. Andrews, this broad-shouldered course is laid across billowing hills.
NOTE: Last fall, Hurricane Helene swept through Georgia, uprooting trees and severely damaging playing surfaces at Augusta National. Club chairman Fred Ridley acknowledged that the course had been ravaged by the tropical cyclone, but in typical Augusta National fashion, repairs were made promptly. The layout, as always, is expected to be in superlative condition for the 2025 Masters.
3. The Championship Test.
Augusta National’s horticultural perfection hides its ineluctable challenge, its razor-thin line between success and failure. For starters, the course is much hillier than it appears on TV. The 10th fairway resembles a downhill ski slope. The 18th fairway is a strenuous uphill climb. Players must contend with tricky uphill, downhill and sidehill lies. The huge undulating greens, exceedingly fast, have false fronts and slippery spill-offs that punish indifferent approach shots. From the tournament tees at 7,555 yards (par 72), this strategic layout provides a complete test of a player’s skill and nerve. A good example is No. 13, a short but perilous par 5 that bends sharply left in the landing area, with a slithering creek flanking the entire left side of the fairway. The creek eventually crosses in front of the raised green, forcing a risk-reward decision. This is a place to watch for eagles and birdies—but also double bogeys.
Winner Will Likely Emerge from an Elite Group of Players
4. The Contenders.
Who will earn the right to slip on the Green Jacket? Topping the list is the world’s No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Masters champion (2022, 2024) whose unorthodox swing is somehow a marvel of consistency. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, the uber-talented Ulsterman who’s already won twice this year and who needs a Masters win to complete his career Grand Slam, is in top form. If his putter cooperates, this could be his year.
Other contenders to keep an eye on: Ludvig Aberg, last year’s runner-up; and Colin Morikawa and Justin Thomas, each a two-time major champion. Patrick Cantlay, Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee, Akshay Bhatia, and Russell Henley could also factor. Expect former Masters champions Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, and Adam Scott to be in the mix. Honoring club founder Bobby Jones’ wishes, there are five amateurs in this year’s field. One or two of them could make the cut.
World No. 3 Xander Schauffele, who won two majors in 2024, sustained an injury late last year and is still rounding into form. Tiger Woods, a five-time Masters champion, is entered but likely won’t play. Woods ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg in mid-March and immediately underwent surgery. Pushing 50, Tiger’s multiple injuries (and multiple surgeries) have caught up with him.
A few pros who left the PGA Tour to play on the Saudi-financed LIV tour might also contend. They include reigning U.S. champion Bryson DeChambeau, a prodigious hitter; Brooks Koepka, a 4-time major champion; and Cameron Smith, an Aussie known for his putting wizardry. Among the past Masters champions on the LIV circuit expected to compete are Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, and 54-year-old Phil Mickelson, who still has plenty of game.
5. The Viewing Experience.
With its limited commercial interruption policy, it is a pleasure to watch the Masters. Veteran broadcaster Jim Nantz will host the broadcast for the 37th time. Trevor Immelman, who won the 2008 Masters, will co-host the telecast. This year, CBS Sports will expand its TV coverage on Saturday and Sunday, totaling 14 hours of weekend coverage. In addition, live coverage of the tournament can be streamed at Masters.com or the Masters app.
For dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists, the moment of moments is the morning of April 10, when former champions and honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson hit the ceremonial first tee shots to kick off the Masters.
