The 2026 Masters, the first major championship of the year, will take place from April 9 to 12 at Augusta National. Masters week starts earlier, on April 6, with player arrivals and practice activities. Early betting favorites include world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Rory McIlroy.
Masters week at Augusta National begins unofficially on the Sunday following the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, as top professionals arrive for early preparation. Officially, it kicks off on Monday, April 6, with players arriving at the course for final prep work ahead of the tournament rounds starting Thursday, April 9. Tuesday, April 7, features practice rounds, numerous player press conferences in the Masters Media Center, and the exclusive Masters Champions dinner that evening for all former winners present. On Wednesday, April 8, practice continues alongside the Masters Par-3 Contest, where competitors are joined by family members in white caddie uniforms on the Par-3 course. The competitive rounds then follow: first round on April 9, second on April 10, third on April 11, and final round with green jacket ceremony on April 12. Early betting odds list Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Masters champion and current world No. 1, as the top favorite at +300 after securing his 20th PGA Tour win to open the 2026 season. Defending champion Rory McIlroy, who claimed his first Masters title last year to complete the career Grand Slam, sits second at +900. Ludvig Åberg and Jon Rahm tie for third at +1200, with Bryson DeChambeau at +1400. Tiger Woods is listed at +20000, pending his recovery from injury.
