The 2026 Masters: What to know about the first major of the year

The Masters, golf’s most prestigious major, tees off in just over a week, and with a star-studded field of 93 players, the competition promises to be as fierce as ever.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy looks to etch his name into history by joining the elite club of multiple green jacket winners after an impressive 2025 victory that helped him complete the career Grand Slam. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the heavy favorite, backed by a dominant start to 2026 that includes his victory at the American Express in January.

Also firmly in the conversation is 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm. The LIV Golf standout has played five events this season, posting a top-five finish in each appearance.

Collin Morikawa arrives in strong form, having claimed his seventh PGA Tour title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and added a top-five finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He has been equally impressive at Augusta National, finishing T-3rd in 2024, his second top-five result in his last four Masters appearances.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Masters.

Advertisement

Feb. 8: Chris Gotterup raises the trophy after winning the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Feb. 1: Justin Rose holds the trophy after winning the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - South Course.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 25: Scottie Scheffler holds up the trophy after winning The American Express tournament at PGA West in La Quinta, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 18: Chris Gotterup holds the championship trophy after winning the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club in Hawaii.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Golfers who have won PGA Tour events in 2026 season

Feb. 8: Chris Gotterup raises the trophy afterwinning the WM Phoenix Opengolf tournament at TPC Scottsdale.

More:Gary Woodland wins PGA Tour's Houston Open 2.5 years after brain surgery

When is the 2026 Masters?

The 90th annual Masters Tournament will tee off on Thursday, April 9, with the winner being awarded the green jacket on Sunday, April 12.

How to watch the 2026 Masters?

The 2026 Masters will be broadcast across CBS, Golf Channel, and ESPN, with additional coverage available through the Masters App and Masters.com. Below is the complete viewing schedule, according to themasters.com:

First round on Thursday, April 9:

All times Eastern.

• Masters.com/Masters App: 1-7:30 p.m.

• ESPN, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes: 3-7:30 p.m.

• Prime Video: 1-3 p.m.

• Golf Channel: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. / 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Live From The Masters)

Second round on Friday, April 10:

• Masters.com/Masters App: 1-7:30 p.m.

• ESPN, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes: 3-7:30 p.m.

• Prime Video: 1-3 p.m.

• Golf Channel: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. / 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Live From The Masters)

Third round on Saturday, April 11:

• Masters.com/Masters App: noon-7 p.m.

• Paramount+: noon-2 p.m. and 2-7 p.m.

• CBS: 2-7 p.m.

• ESPN Deportes: 5-6 p.m

• Golf Channel: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. / 7 p.m. -9 p.m. (Live From The Masters)

Final round on Sunday, April 12:

• Masters.com/Masters App: noon-7 p.m.

• Paramount+: noon-2 p.m. and 2-7 p.m.

• CBS: 2-7 p.m.

• ESPN Deportes: 5-6 p.m

• Golf Channel: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. / 7 p.m. -9 p.m. (Live From The Masters)

Who is playing in the Masters?

2026 Masters field

(A) - denotes amateur

• Ludvig Aberg

• Daniel Berger

• Akshay Bhatia

• Keegan Bradley

• Michael Brennan

• Jacob Bridgeman

• Sam Burns

• Angel Cabrera

• Brian Campbell

• Patrick Cantlay

• Wyndham Clark

• Corey Conners

• Fred Couples

• Jason Day

• Bryson DeChambeau

• Nicolas Echavarria

• Harris English

• Ethan Fang (A)

• Matt Fitzpatrick

• Tommy Fleetwood

• Ryan Fox

• Sergio Garcia

• Ryan Gerard

• Chris Gotterup

• Max Greyserman

• Ben Griffin

• Harry Hall

• Brian Harman

• Tyrrell Hatton

• Russell Henley

• Jackson Herrington (A)

• Nicolai Hojgaard

• Rasmus Hojgaard

• Brandon Holtz (A)

• Max Homa

• Viktor Hovland

• Mason Howell (A)

• Sungjae Im

• Casey Jarvis

• Dustin Johnson

• Zach Johnson

• Naoyuki Kataoka

• John Keefer

• Si Woo Kim

• Michael Kim

• Kurt Kitayama

• Jake Knapp

• Brooks Koepka

• Fifa Laopakdee (A)

• Min Woo Lee

• Haotong Li

• Shane Lowry

• Robert MacIntyre

• Hideki Matsuyama

• Matt McCarty

• Rory McIlroy

• Tom McKibbin

• Maverick McNealy

• Phil Mickelson

• Collin Morikawa

• Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen

• Alex Noren

• Andrew Novak

• José María Olazábal

• Carlos Ortiz

• Marco Penge

• Aldrich Potgieter

• Mateo Pulcini (A)

• Jon Rahm

• Aaron Rai

• Patrick Reed

• Kristoffer Reitan

• Davis Riley

• Justin Rose

• Xander Schauffele

• Scottie Scheffler

• Charl Schwartzel

• Adam Scott

• Vijay Singh

• Cameron Smith

• J.J. Spaun

• Jordan Spieth

• Samuel Stevens

• Sepp Straka

• Nick Taylor

• Justin Thomas

• Sami Valimaki

• Bubba Watson

• Mike Weir

• Danny Willett

• Gary Woodland

• Tiger Woods

• Cameron Young

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Masters 2026: What to know, how to watch first major of the year

byCreto Bactum

in

March 31, 2026

The 2026 Masters: What to know about the first major of the year

The Masters, golf’s most prestigious major, tees off in just over a week, and with a star-studded field of 93 players, the competition ...

Read More

Florida center Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player ever, enters transfer portal

The tallest basketball player in NCAA history is looking for a new team in the offseason. Florida center Olivier Rioux is entering the transfer portal after a middling sophomore season with the Gators.

Rioux, 20, confirmed the news on Instagram, thanking the team and fans for their support.

Rioux is making the move after seeing limited time in just 11 games as a sophomore. He averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds in just 1.5 minutes per game.

Advertisement

Rioux originally joined Florida as a preferred walk-on during the 2024-25 season. It wound up being a red-shirt year for the center, however, and he did not appear in a game.

His second season at Florida didn’t result in many significant moments, but he did break a record the instant he stepped on the court. During a November game against North Florida, Rioux became the tallest college basketball player to see action in a game, as he tallied two minutes of play during the contest. The 7-foot-9 center did not record any stats in the game, however.

He was used in a reverse/mop-up role the rest of the way, seeing one or two minutes sparingly with Florida throughout the season. His best performance came in a 114-55 blowout win over Prairie View A&M, when he scored two points and recorded two rebounds and an assist in two minutes of play.

Rioux does have a history of strong play prior to joining Florida. He’s played prominent roles for Canada’s FIBA teams as an amateur and has two bronze medals for his efforts there.

byCreto Bactum

in

March 31, 2026

Florida center Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player ever, enters transfer portal

The tallest basketball player in NCAA history is looking for a new team in the offseason. Florida center Olivier Rioux is entering the ...

Read More

Hilarious Reactions As Wild Swimsuit Dance By Beauty Pageant Contestant Goes Mega Viral

Acontestantditched thebeauty pageantplaybook and danced onstage as if the crown was already hers.

The internet was hooked after the 18-year-old contestant,Darathorn Yoothong, skipped subtlety altogether during the preliminary rounds of theMiss Grand Thailand competition.

“Honestly…she deserves to win just for the audacity of being herself when everyone’s so standard,” one netizen commented.

A Miss Grand Thailand contestant danced onstage as if the crown were already hers

Image credits:GrandTV

When Darathorn Yoothong competed in Miss Grand Thailand this month, playing it safe didn’t seem to be on her cards.

The 18-year-old wentviral for her unmatched energyand busted some unexpected hip-hop moves in five-inch heels.

Yoothong took the stage as Miss Grand Kalasin, representing one of the country’s 77 provinces.

Image credits:dadakerema

In a sea of contestants acting poised and polished, Darathorn stood out and kept all eyes on her when she was in the frame.

“She’s definitely a festival  girlie,” one said, while another quipped, “She might’ve lost in this competition, but she’s won in the world.”

“In a world of folks trying to be elegant, be Miss Thailand,” read another comment.

“She did that in heels by the way, what a legend,” one commenter wrote online

Image credits:GrandTV

One said, “She needs to be in theOlympic break dance categorywith that b girl step.”

“She is so real. Inelegant is code for she doesn’t comply with the stepford wife standards,” another said. “Stop telling us how to act.  She’s awesome!!!!”

“Winner energy right there,” one wrote.

Image credits:GrandTV

Image credits:DonRicky956

“Just give her the crown,” said another.

The crown ultimately went to Pattama Jitsawat, who represented the Chonburi province.

She will go on to represent Thailand at the Miss Grand International competition hosted by India later this year.

18-year-old Darathorn said she was “fighting” by herself to be in the competition

Image credits:senpaiquadry

Ahead of the competition, Darathorn announced to her fans that she wasjoining the Miss Grand International competitionand asked them for their love and support.

“It means a lot to me,” she said in a November post on Instagram. “I’ve been fighting to be here all by myself, and now it’s time!”

Advertisement

Image credits:GrandTV

Despite not winning, she was grateful for all the love she received online and shared a message to her fans about being truly herself.

“I just truly be myself but this is honestly unbelievable than i ever imagined,” she wrote online after the competition concluded. “

“Thankyou so much for the love from everyone all around the world,’ she added. “I promise I’ll be back stronger and even more fun.”

Another contestant from the Thai national pageant went viral after her teeth fell out

Image credits:ToxicKisToxic

For anyone who thought beauty pageants were predictable, the Miss Grand Thailand competition made them think again.

The national pageant had another viral moment this month aftercontestant Kamolwan Chanago’s teeth fell outonstage on March 25.

Kamolwan, who competed as Miss Pathum Thani, was giving her opening remarks when her dental veneers came loose mid-sentence.

Image credits:GrandTV

Image credits:skiny_legend

Viewers were surprised to see Kamolwan quickly turn around, adjust her veneers, and immediately continue.

“If I was her dentist… I’d be freaking out and heading to Bermuda!” one viewer commented on the viral moment.

“Omg I feel bad for her tho,” another said.

Kamolwan Chanago playfully teased the viral moment on the final day

Image credits:jasminefulldev

The incident sparked discussions about the contestant using fake teeth, with one critic claiming nothing “fake” should make its way onstage at a beauty pageant.

“Why is there even beauty pageants nowadays where its all just plastic surgeries,” one claimed. “Maybedo a plastic surgeon pageantwhere doctors from around the world send their best works to compete. Even fake teeth!!!”

Image credits:GrandTV

Image credits:GlamaWayne

“Abeauty pageant with all natural womenshould have the highest honor.. no plastic surgery no veneers, all natural,” said another.

After viewers demanded she show her “real” beauty, Kamolwan seemingly addressed the chatter during the show’s finale on March 28.

Image credits:GrandTV

The 18-year-old walked onstage in a bright red dress, flashed her wide natural smile, and then slid her veneers on in front of the cheering crowd.

She then confidently addressed the audience after playfully teasing the viral moment.

“She’s a winner for that personality,” one fan commented online.

“What in the world kind of pageant is this????” one commenter wrote online

byCreto Bactum

in

March 31, 2026

Hilarious Reactions As Wild Swimsuit Dance By Beauty Pageant Contestant Goes Mega Viral

Acontestantditched thebeauty pageantplaybook and danced onstage as if the crown was already hers. The internet was hooked after th...

Read More

Bill Murray cheers on coach son at thrilling UConn March Madness game

Comedy legend Bill Murray witnessed a scene of college basketball pandemonium on Sunday, cheering on his son's team to a miraculous March Madness victory.

The "Ghostbusters" and "Groundhog Day" star was spotted supporting his son, Luke Murray, an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut, as Duke and UConn faced off in a stunning Elite 8tournamentgame, resulting in UConn advancing to the Final Four.

Bill Murraysported a dark blue hat and navy blue shirt at the game, which took place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

After it seemed the Huskies' season was coming to an end, the team launched a miraculous second-half comeback, forcing a last-minute turnover before freshman Braylon Mullins launched a long-range three-pointer to advance UConn to the next round.

Videofrom the courtshowed Bill Murray celebrating with the UConn band after the game.

Luke Murray, the second son of Bill Murray and Margaret Kelly, has been an assistant coach at UConn since 2021, working under famed head coach Dan Hurley.

Advertisement

On March 26,Luke Murray was named the head coach of the Boston College men's basketball team, starting next season, marking his first position as a head coach in college basketball.

"I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to lead the Boston College Men's Basketball program," Luke Murray said in statement included in areleaseannouncing his hire. "Boston College alumni and fans will find our program defined by a standard of excellence, and our team will play an unselfish, tough, and highly competitive brand of basketball. I am excited to get to work to build this proud program. Go Eagles!"

Luke Murray has done rounds as a college basketball coach for nearly two decades, with stops at schools including Arizona, Towson, Rhode Island, Xavier, Louisville and more.

Bill Murray opened up about his son's successin an interviewwith The Big East Conference in 2023, during UConn's March Madness run that year.

"I'm very proud of this boy, and he's a wonderful kid, and he's worked very hard," he said at the time.

That same year, Luke Murrayposted a photoof him and his father standing side by side, celebrating an NCAA tournament win, along with photos of his children playing in the confetti.

Bill Murray is also a father to five other children.

byCreto Bactum

in

March 30, 2026

Bill Murray cheers on coach son at thrilling UConn March Madness game

Comedy legend Bill Murray witnessed a scene of college basketball pandemonium on Sunday, cheering on his son's t...

Read More