What is the Masters?
The Masters is golf's rite of spring — the first major of the year, played every April since 1934 at Augusta National, the only major with a permanent home. Rory McIlroy is the back-to-back champion: his 2025 playoff win completed the career Grand Slam, and in 2026 he defended by a stroke over Scottie Scheffler.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rory McIlroy | Back-to-back — one stroke over Scottie Scheffler |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | Playoff vs Justin Rose — completed the career Grand Slam |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | Second green jacket |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler | |
| 2021 | Hideki Matsuyama | Japan's first men's major champion |
| 2020 | Dustin Johnson | November Masters (COVID-19); record 20-under |
| 2019 | Tiger Woods | 5th green jacket, 11 years after his previous major |
| 2018 | Patrick Reed | |
| 2017 | Sergio García | First major, in a playoff |
Green-jacket winners of the last ten Masters.
How does it work?
An invitational with the smallest major field (~90): past champions for life, plus qualification by major results, world ranking and select amateur titles — every invitation category published. The winner takes the green jacket and a lifetime return ticket.[1] [3]
Why does it matter?
Augusta's azaleas, Amen Corner and the champions' dinner make it sport's most ritualized event — and the green jacket golf's most famous prize, six times Jack Nicklaus's, five times Tiger Woods's.[1] [2]
References
- The Masters — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Golf Digest — McIlroy wins the 2026 Masters. Accessed August 2026.
- Golf Channel — Masters 2026 final-round leaderboard. Accessed August 2026.