One day before the start of the 90th Masters in history, and on the sidelines of the par 3 contest, the news from Augusta has not slowed down. Here’s a summary of what you shouldn’t miss on this Wednesday, April 8th at the Masters. Click here!
Fred Couples’ revelations about champions’ dinners
Winner in 1992, Fred Couples, the oldest player to tee off this Thursday, has experienced many champions’ dinners. This year’s dinner made a strong impression on him: “I had the salmon, it was fantastic but I would have liked to also try the Wagyu which looked very good. Rory said a few words at the beginning of the meal; I nudged Jordan Spieth asking if it was his speech. But he did it at the end in 2-3 minutes to explain how hard it is to win here.”
800
That’s the number of hours it took to create a “special” drawing commissioned by Rory McIlroy after his victory last year and which has just been unveiled on the sidelines of the 2026 edition. No, it’s not a photo.
And here’s a timelapse of @KeeganHall completing the drawing. What an incredible talent pic.twitter.com/p3RvPQXXGN
– Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 8, 2026
The Masters chairman in favor of a less performing ball
The only person honored at the press conference this Wednesday, Fred Ridley, chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, spoke at length before the 90th edition. He particularly emphasized his intention to make sure that the balls are less performing in terms of distance to preserve the essence of the game of golf.
“We firmly believe that the greatest players are distinguished not only by the distance they hit the ball but also by their exceptional talent in all aspects of the game. Their ability to shape their shots, take risks, and perform under pressure is at the heart of high-level golf. Regulating golf balls is not an attempt to turn back time or hinder progress. It is an effort to preserve the fundamental essence of what makes golf the exceptional sport it is.”
-84
That’s the absolute record for the lowest score on a single hole in a player’s career at the Masters. This record belongs to Phil Mickelson at hole number 13 “Azalea,” with a record score of -84 in 120 attempts, no one does better than the three-time Masters winner at hole 13.
221
The number of balls hit at the practice session on Wednesday by Sungjae Im. The time spent training is carefully studied by statisticians who have analyzed how pros structure their training session between long and short game.
Other players spotted at the practice area of Augusta National are Chris Gotterup, Wyndham Clark with 177 balls, Kristoffer Reitan 176, Patrick Cantlay 175, Ben Griffin 173, Dustin Johnson 168, Max Homa 161.
-10 would be incredible
Rory McIlroy on the score to aim for this week
A “Firm, Fast and Furious” course
Before starting the par 3 contest, players quickly shared their thoughts on the course conditions this year. Rory McIlroy specifically mentioned that if conditions remain the same as they have been since the beginning of the week, “a score lower than -10 would be incredible.”
“A very firm course” for Fleetwood and greens even “faster” for Adam Scott should offer a different golf test. For Jordan Spieth, “hitting greens in regulation” will be key.
1.2
The average number of players to have scored below par of -10 or better in the last five editions. Last year, two players achieved it, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. In the previous four years, only the winners reached this mark. During Tiger Woods‘ victory in 2019, there were 11!
I don’t care about others’ opinions
Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh, still as pleasant as ever
The second oldest player in the field this week at 63, the Fijian Vijay Singh, winner in 2000, has always had a complicated relationship with the media. Criticized for using the “career money list” category at the beginning of the year on the PGA Tour, relations are unlikely to improve this week. When asked how he felt this week compared to all the other young players, the Oceanian replied: “I’m here, and I don’t care about others’ opinions.” The atmosphere is set.
He gives away his driver… then takes it back!
After winning the U.S. Open Mid-Amateur, Brandon Holtz was invited to donate a club to the USGA golf museum. He chose the club that had contributed the most to his victory: his driver.
But during a practice session on Tuesday at the Augusta National Golf Club, Holtz, 39, played so poorly with his new driver approaching his debut at the Masters that he asked a friend to contact Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA, for help.
Whan immediately contacted a USGA staff member, who rushed to the museum, retrieved the club, and arrived just in time for overnight shipment before the start of the Masters.
Mason Howell and Rory’s ball in his bag
Winner of the U.S. Open Amateur last August at the Olympic Club (California), defeating Jackson Herrington 7&6 in the final, 18-year-old Mason Howell, a student at the University of Georgia and a member of the United States junior national team this year, shared a juicy anecdote after a training session this Tuesday at Augusta. He has in his bag a ball that Rory McIlroy gave him at the TOUR Championship in 2016. By coincidence, the young man will share his first two rounds with the Northern Irishman and the winner of the last Players Championship, Cameron Young, “I have his ball in my bag right now, the one he gave me in 2016 when I was nine. So yeah, I’m going to say I’m going to play the first hole with a Nike, which is false (laughs). It says ‘Rors’ on it. It would be so funny. It’s been in my room since 2019. It hasn’t left me since. I still have it with me this week!”
@Masters
Context: The article provides detailed information on the latest news and updates from the Masters golf tournament held at Augusta. It covers various aspects including players’ experiences, course conditions, records, and player interactions.
Fact Check: The article reports factual information about the Masters tournament, player quotes, and records set at the event. The content is sourced from reliable and credible sources related to golf.
