What is the date of The Masters Tournament in 2026? Schedule, players, prize money and where to watch as McIlroy defends title

Rory McIlroy will return to Augusta National as a Masters champion for first time this April following his incredible victory 12 months ago.

McIlroy finally ascended to the pantheon of golfing Grand Slam greats by getting his hands on a Green Jacket last year.

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After a thrilling tournament full of twists and turns, McIlroy bogeyed his final hole which forced him into a play-off with Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose.

The Northern Irishman held his nerve to get over the line in the first extra hole, stiffing his approach before rolling in his birdie and dropping to his knees in jubilation.

He will headline the 2026 event and renew his rivalry with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau in the first major of the year.

A host of other star names will be eyeing Masters glory as well in what should be another enthralling week.

When is The Masters this year?

The 2026 Masters Tournament will get going on Thursday, April 9. 

It will take place at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and will be played over four days until Sunday, April 12. 

The action will get started at 12:30pm UK time (7:30am in Georgia) over the opening two days and at 2pm UK time over the weekend.

talkSPORT will have regular updates from Augusta throughout the week.

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The major championships will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK too. 

Who is in the field for the 2026 Masters?

The tournament has the smallest field of the four major championships with 95 players teeing it up in last year’s event before Friday’s cut.

The full field is yet to be confirmed but the likes of McIlroy, Rose, Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Thomas and Robert MacIntyre will be in action.

A number of LIV Golf stars will be in attendance too including DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith.

Brooks Koepka will be playing in his first major championship since defecting back to the PGA Tour from LIV.

Five-time champion Tiger Woods is not expected to be in the field having had Achilles and back surgery last year.

All past winners are invited back meaning the in-form Patrick Reed will be teeing it up alongside Sergio Garcia, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Vijay Singh.

Several amateurs will be in the field too including 2025 US Amateur champion Jackson Herrington and 2025 Amateur Championship winner Ethan Fang.

Masters officials are yet to announce any Special Invitations.

The tee times and groupings for the opening two rounds will be announced at the start of tournament week.

The latest leaderboard from Augusta can be found here once play is up and running.

Official prize money for the 2026 tournament will also follow soon but the prize pot was set at $21million last year with McIlroy taking home $4.2m.

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How is the course looking for The Masters?

Augusta National is a par 72 and measures a maximum of 7,555 yards in length.

There have been no course changes announced for the 2026 tournament.

The famous track has been steadily extended over the last few years and is 120 yards longer than it was when Danny Willett won ten years ago.

As ever, the world-famous par-3s of Golden Bell and Redbud will take centre-stage as will the treacherous run of holes at Amen Corner.

The 495-yard par-4 Magnolia 5th was the most difficult hole last year, just ahead of the 18th finishing hole Holly.

The four par-5s plus the short par-4 3rd hole were statistically the easiest five holes 12 months ago.

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What has been said about The Masters?

McIlroy is keen to ‘move on’ from his Masters glory and achieve more success this year.

He said recently: “I’m more of a let’s focus – it’s done, it’s wonderful, I’m happy that it’s over in a way, but I want to move on. 

“And I’ve got more goals and there’s more things I want to try to accomplish and achieve.”

One of McIlroy’s most famous shots from his victory last year was the seven-iron he hit around the trees to the 15th green in the final round.

That club has since been donated to the Augusta clubhouse – but McIlroy didn’t even realise! 

He added: “[My manager] Sean had already given it to the club, he just didn’t tell me. 

“If there was one I was going to give the club, it was probably going to be that one.”