The Masters 2026

[irip]

Yes they did, and I’m sure they’ll be actively looking to do the same as Rory next year.
However, it’s not something that all players competing in The Masters would be able to do, especially given Rory said he was taking a private jet each day around the school run - so he’s part of the privileged group that have the time, resources and status to take advantage.

Is it a privileged group or is it actually a group who have done well enough in the past to earn the right to make these decisions?
You are perfectly at liberty to get a private jet in between the school run as well.

Our choices are only inhibited by a lack of funds and a lack of imagination

 

[Tashyboy]

Rory took advantage of the privilege of being able to skip tournaments and go and play Augusta multiple times in the run up to the tournament - I’d imagine that helped him massively…

In that regard, it isn’t the same for everyone as others have said regarding the course conditions - Rory will have scoped out a lot of the positions that others hadn't had chance to.

I suspect anyone that can take advantage of multiple practice rounds instead of playing tournaments next year, will follow Mcilroy’s lead.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. I wonder if Rory actually thought that even if he bombs it and it ends up in the trees, all is still well

 

[nickjdavis]

So, you are saying McIlroy also needs to prepare for golf AND have a family life? Does that mean he is in a less privileged position than golfers with no kids?

Let's not pretend that ALL the top golfers at the Masters, or indeed ALL the professionals playing there, are not "privileged". Not many of them are earning £25,000 a year and having to balance golf and taxi driving

Certainly not Mr Woods.

 

[The Squirrel]

Yes they did, and I’m sure they’ll be actively looking to do the same as Rory next year.
However, it’s not something that all players competing in The Masters would be able to do, especially given Rory said he was taking a private jet each day around the school run - so he’s part of the privileged group that have the time, resources and status to take advantage.

Well thanks to their monster LIV deals and being on a tour with only 14 tournaments per year, Rahm and Bryson had both more financial resources and free time than anyone to do this, yet they were pants . Either they were too lazy to do the prep it or it’s not quite the advantage you suggest.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Well thanks to their monster LIV deals and being on a tour with only 14 tournaments per year, Rahm and Bryson had both more financial resources and free time than anyone to do this, yet they were pants . Either they were too lazy to do the prep it or it’s not quite the advantage you suggest.

Well judging by Rahms comments yesterday he’s realised his preparation was not up to scratch, he’s probably one of the players that might follow Rorys prep next year.

 

[jim8flog]

I think it has always been like that for Pro tournaments. The time taken to assess shots ( with caddy advice), and looking at putts from all angles. The care taken is understandable.
Imagine the club weekly comps taking the same care
So, , do you want them to go faster without the assessment?
And it’s not as though there is a buggy fourball behind having to get home in time for lunch,is it?

This obsession with “slow play” …..
It’s being pushed at our Seniors competition at the moment, and it’s out of order.
Seniors are seniors, I.e. we’re bloody old, and some are decrepit .
The irony is, the youngsters behind are mostly in club buggies . Most of us are walking…….sort of,!

Not always! I can remember being tucked in my bed by 11pm years ago after watching the finish of The Masters.

I certainly remember Peter Alliss always moaning about how slow it had become.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Well thanks to their monster LIV deals and being on a tour with only 14 tournaments per year, Rahm and Bryson had both more financial resources and free time than anyone to do this, yet they were pants . Either they were too lazy to do the prep it or it’s not quite the advantage you suggest.

Suspect BDC was prob too busy hitting over houses or cars for his You Tube channel

The last event was 2/3 weeks ago for anyone LIV and there was nothing stopping either of them doing whatever Rory did to ensure he gave himself the best chance to win

All those top players on any tour have the same chance - nothing stopping them from playing multiple practise rounds there

 

[Neilds]

Do you not have to be a past winner to get access to Augusta whenever you want to? They are very particular who they let in to play.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Do you not have to be a past winner to get access to Augusta whenever you want to? They are very particular who they let in to play.

Even past winners have to play with a member

That’s the same for anyone invited to play in the Masters - they can play unlimited amount of rounds with a member

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Just watched the film about the 96 Masters

It doesn’t get any less painful for Norman , the insight from Faldo is very good ,

Forgot that Norman battled back with birdies on 13 and 15 to give himself a chance again until the 16th tee

 

[timd77]

Just watched the film about the 96 Masters

It doesn’t get any less painful for Norman , the insight from Faldo is very good ,

Forgot that Norman battled back with birdies on 13 and 15 to give himself a chance again until the 16th tee

Which film?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Which film?

There is one on Sky - 30th anniversary of the win


Some times I wonder if Faldo gets enough credit for what he achieved and how good he was - 6 majors , 3 green jackets and 3 claret jugs , not many have that

 

[AmandaJR]

There is one on Sky - 30th anniversary of the win


Some times I wonder if Faldo gets enough credit for what he achieved and how good he was - 6 majors , 3 green jackets and 3 claret jugs , not many have that

I think he's a bit marmite. Personally I really like him. Liked him as a player and like him as a pundit. He can be quite funny. Bit like Steve Davis in snooker - seems a bore but actually not so much.

 

[IanM]

I'm smiling at the use of "privileged" in this thread.

I guess that means all those who have just been handed all that money with absolutely no effort or personal sacrifice!

 

[Highfade]

Even past winners have to play with a member

That’s the same for anyone invited to play in the Masters - they can play unlimited amount of rounds with a member

The only living past champion who is a full member of ANGC is Jack Nicklaus who could in theory play whenever he wants, although by all accounts the course is closed for maintenance at least 5 months of the year and you must always play in a 4-ball.

Also, competitively, unlike the Open and US open that has stricter eligibility criteria for past champions 60 years old limit (now 55) at the Open and a 10 year exemption at the US open, the Masters (and PGA championship) have no restrictions for champions to play each year other than those they impose on themselves before the subtle tap on shoulder or awkward whisper in the ear from the membership.

ANGC resisted the temptation to follow more rigid exemptions despite a wave of embarrassingly high scores from the very old guard in the late 90s and early 2000s.
They soon took the hint and limited themselves to the occasional participation at the par 3 contest or just simply for the champions dinner.

 

[larmen]

Even past winners have to play with a member

That’s the same for anyone invited to play in the Masters - they can play unlimited amount of rounds with a member

There was something on the socials with Willet yesterday where he said that he calls the head pro and he gets him an invite almost every time. Green jacket comes with stories the members want to hear.
No idea which channel I saw it on, none of the ones I usually watch.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

There was something on the socials with Willet yesterday where he said that he calls the head pro and he gets him an invite almost every time. Green jacket comes with stories the members want to hear.
No idea which channel I saw it on, none of the ones I usually watch.

Yeah Faldo says the same , they never have any issues getting a game organised with a member

 

[larmen]

One of the privileges of the membership must be that you have the top pros begging you to play with them.


Is it right that they only have 300? One of them is Bill Clinton? If I got it correct he was rejected for many years before finally being accepted.
Other presidents have also tried and failed.

 

[Highfade]

One of the privileges of the membership must be that you have the top pros begging you to play with them.


Is it right that they only have 300? One of them is Bill Clinton? If I got it correct he was rejected for many years before finally being accepted.
Other presidents have also tried and failed.

Only confirmed report of a former president being a member is Eisenhower.
Even the Bush family with their historic relationship with golf (Walker cup) are not confirmed to be members. Which is not to say they aren’t. The membership list thought to be around 300 is notoriously private with only a few of the better known ones that have been in the public eye during their career confirmed via various sources.
Majority are widely unknown to the general public and are hedge fund managers and CEOs of blue chip companies.

 

[evemccc]

There is one on Sky - 30th anniversary of the win


Some times I wonder if Faldo gets enough credit for what he achieved and how good he was - 6 majors , 3 green jackets and 3 claret jugs , not many have that

Faldo doesn’t get the credit (as a golfer) he deserves - and when he talks about what he is seeing on the course as an analyst - I think he’s v good too

Won The Open 3 times at the two best venues - TOC and Muirfield - and won 3 Green Jackets. Impressive RC record and did well at other big national opens…certainly if I had to pick a player to ‘ go round in less than 72 for my life’ it would be him