2026 Masters: Its Prep time, It’s April and it’s the Masters
Posted on April 6, 2026
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The 2026 major season is upon us, kicking off with our usual opening gambit at Augusta for The Masters, and their tag-line could not be further from the truth.
No time for a long preview mail? Just head over to get your PICKS in!
The season has started off with a flyer - many of the games biggest names are making headlines wherever they go - especially those on the LIV Tour with big wins already from BDC & Rahmbo. The defending champion, a Grand Slam winner, is the world no 2, and then of course there is the world no 1, who has already won in 2026, though he is not quite as hot as he was in 2025 - yet.
Augusta will be roaring, just like last year when Rory needed 73 holes to outlast his demons, Augusta and of course the perennial nearly-man, JR who is again a contender in 2026, even at 45 years of age. It will be hard to beat last year’s story, but Augusta prides itself on stories!
Weather forecasts are looking good. a mixed bag, with rain, clouds, sun and some humidity forecast all week.
The key majorpunter rules, with no-subs, include 6 picks including 2 wildcards per day. See the RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.
The Headliners
The list of potential winners is always lengthy, until the course creates the separation.
Scottie, Rahmbo & Rory are top of the Data Golf Rankings, and also the most recent Green Jacket winners. Under the radar is X, who is back after a tricky 2025, but showing all the signs of his breakout 2024 stellar year.
There are many others showing good form and with wins under their belt already, including The Players champ Cam Young who leads a band of youngsters chasing a 1st or 2nd major. There is so much talent in the mix, but who has the mental tenacity to turn talent into real pedigree?
Cam, Bob, Aberg & SiWoo - seem like those kids set to make the breakthrough, but don’t rule out the cagey operators like TommyLad, Hideki & Shane, who will always fancy their chances.
Inside the top 50 are some other fans favourites like JT, Jordan, Scotty & JR who all could make a charge.
The Defending Champ
Rory was a true fans victory last year with so many pulling for the man chasing the Grand Slam and a 1st Green Jacket. Could this unlock Augusta for Rory, who will now swing freely, unburdened by the stress of that final, elusive major.
Champions Dinner Plans
This year’s Champions Dinner is a mixed bag of treats, fancy bites and wines that has been cheered and jeered in equal measure.
Regardless of the menu, its still the hottest ticket in town! This year has a new host and is missing The Big Cat.
Some great insight into the dinner’s intrigue were shared this week and its a brilliant READ with tales of famous triumphs been told by champions , but not from the eyes of the victor but rather from the loser. Plus of course, who sits where, who drinks what and what to avoid on the menu.
Can Rory defend the Jacket? Its very hard to do so. Defending champions have a poor record with only two of the last 10 winners making the top 10 the following year! The last player to do Tiger in 2002 and before that Sir Nick in 1990!
The Field
As usual the FIELD is filled with a variety of contenders and no-hopers.
The kings of content, The Masters have again outdone themselves with the launch of the Masters VAULT containing all the best and most memorable shots from 1968 to today, plus of course the full 2025 broadcast.
Looking to brush up on interesting facts and rumours ahead of the Masters check these famous TALES out.
The Course and Surrounds
The players, the Patrons and ourselves, all know Augusta and its humps, hollows, speedy greens and sloping fairways very well. Every year, the traditions are regaled and added to - with new additions each year, such as the PLAYER SERVICES area in 2026, including an underground tunnel-system.
Otherwise, as we know, the course and surrounds will be perfect - a mix of green, pink and white will be in abundance!
From the umbrellas to food wrapping, the shops, caddies overalls and obviously the various buildings scattered around the course.
Famous establishments like Butler Cabin, Crow’s Nest, The Wine Cellar, Champions Locker Room, Founders Circle, Berckmans Place, Clubhouse Terrace and the Eisenhower Cabin are places most of us just dream about.
Enjoy the TOUR of Augusta National.
Potential Favourites
Scottie
The world # 1, will be determined to get a 3rd Green Jacket, after his memorable major run of 2025
Rory
Free from the burden of his own self-professed personal career goal and now a Masters champion, he can now free-wheel it around a course that suits his game so well.
Rahmbo
A winner again in 2026, a former champ at Augusta, he carries decent form again, with a red-hot fire to prove all his critics wrong. LIV seems to be positive though might be short-lived. Can he change that angle and get back to a big win?
The Others:
The list of possible first timers is long and impossible to ignore these guys.
Aberg: Such a run in 2024 and 2025, started with good form in 2026, despite some implosions.
Cam: putter seems to have found itself to complement his immense long game, mentally it was a huge shift.
Tommy Lad: After a US win finally, he is ready to compete as if he deserves it. Terrific ball-striker.
Reminder of the majorpunter rules, with a no-subs option, but having 6 picks including 2 wildcards. See the RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.
