Patrick Reed explains reasons behind sudden LIV Golf departure
Patrick Reed feels like a renewed force.
The 2018 Masters champion has spent the last four years playing on the LIV Golf Tour having resigned from the PGA Tour in June 2022 before making a turnaround in January of this year and announcing his return to America’s main tour card.
He is eligible to return for invitational events from late August this year and on a full-time basis in 2027 due to his past champion status.
Since leaving LIV, Reed has played on the DP World Tour in Europe and has won twice and finished second in three tournaments since the start of the year.
His form, plus his previous results at Augusta National, is also a huge factor into why he is being marked as a contender for this week’s first major of the season.
Mike Jones9 April 2026 11:50
‘It’s not going to a be low-scoring Masters’ – McIlroy on conditions
Augusta is expecting warmer weather than usual this week – will a firmer course lead to lower scoring? Here’s what the defending champion thinks.
“I think this week is going to be dry, already it’s a little windy, and the course is already firming up,” Rory McIlroy said yesterday.
“If the conditions continue to be the way they are, double digits under par would be an amazing score.
“It’s not going to be a low-scoring Masters and that’s going to be fun for everyone.”
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 11:46
How can I watch The Masters 2026?
Fans in the UK can watch The Masters on Sky Sports, with coverage underway from 2pm BST on Thursday.
Featured Group action and updates around the course are available on Sky Sports Golf until 6pm BST, when the global broadcast window opens up. That time is brought forward at the weekend, for rounds three and four, at 5pm BST.
Sky Sports+ will have live coverage of the Featured Holes/Amen Corner from 3:45pm BST on Thursday and Friday, 5pm BST on Saturday and 4:45pm BST on Sunday.
Fans can subscribe to Sky, or use Now TV with a day or month pass.
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 11:30
Masters near-misses bring boost and belief for Justin Rose
Justin Rose insists the Masters does not owe him anything after a number of near-misses at Augusta National.
The Englishman lost out to Rory McIlroy in a play-off a year ago, his third second-place finish at the tournament and his second to a Ryder Cup teammate after being edged out by Sergio Garcia at an extra hole in 2017.
Rose also has four other Masters top-10s but he insists the experience has not scarred him, even if he said having a ringside seat to see McIlroy win the green jacket and complete the career grand slam was “surreal” and “a little bit deja vu”.
“I’m very aware that I’ve been close here,” he said. “I’m very aware that I’ve had tough, tough losses here.
“I also am aware that I enjoy this place so I don’t want to feel that those three second-place finishes need to create a different sort of feeling for me.
“I don’t feel like it owes me anything. I hope it only boosts my belief I can go ahead and do it. I just haven’t walked over the line. I feel like I’ve executed well enough to have done the job.”
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 11:10
Rory McIlroy explains his different approach to this year’s Masters
“Instead of it being, ‘Come on, Rory, you know you can do this’, it’s, ‘Back to back?’. There’s a real positive connotation to it instead of, ‘Jeez Rory, we’ve been waiting a while. When are you going to get this done?’.
“Maybe that’s just my perception of it, but it is so nice to just not have that hanging over me. It feels that it’s a big weight off my shoulders.
“I feel I’ve got another hopefully 10 good shots at this – not that I don’t at the other majors, but I just think everything here is a little more predictable. The more experience you have around this golf course, the better it is.”
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 10:50
Rory McIlroy says career grand slam has not dimmed desire for further glory
Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy does not want his year wearing the green jacket to end, but it has made him realise completing the career grand slam at Augusta 12 months ago did not fulfil his ambitions.
“For the past 17 years I just could not wait for the tournament to start and this year I wouldn’t care if the tournament never started. That’s sort of the difference,” McIlroy said of his status as returning champion.
“I feel so much more relaxed. I know that I’m going to be coming back here for a lot of years, going to enjoy the perks champions get here.
“It doesn’t make me any less motivated to play well and try to win the tournament.
“The story as it relates to me is, what do I do from now onwards? What motivates me? What gets me going? What do I still want to achieve in the game? And there’s still a lot that I want to do.”
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 10:30
Bryson DeChambeau reveals burning desire to beat Rory McIlroy every time he plays him
Bryson DeChambeau admits he wants to “beat the living you know what” out of Rory McIlroy every time he plays him.
The pair’s rivalry appeared to peak during the final day of last year’s Masters when DeChambeau alleged the Northern Irishman did not speak to him for the entire round when they were paired together in the last group.
“It’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry. I don’t see any problem with that,” said DeChambeau.
“If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf. Do I respect him as an individual? One hundred per cent.
“Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. There’s no question about it.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 10:10
Major champion Mark Calcavecchia ejected from Masters after breaking strict Augusta rule
Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open champion, has been ejected from the Masters tournament after breaking Augusta National’s strict no-phone policy.
Calcavecchia was among the patrons at Augusta on Wednesday ahead of the 2026 tournament, in his role as an “honorary invitee”, having won one of golf’s four majors. He played in the Masters 18 times between 1987 and 2008, recording a best finish of second in 1988.
Augusta has a number of regulations which it enforces to protect its status as one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including a specific dress code, no running around the property and no brands or sponsors on the grounds.
Lawrence Ostlere9 April 2026 09:50
Jason Day criticises Tiger Woods for putting ‘people in harm’s way’
Jason Day criticised Tiger Woods for being selfish and putting “other people in harm’s way” by driving after taking prescription medication.
“It just shows the human element and the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction,” said Day ahead of this week’s Masters.
He added: “When you’re going through that many procedures, it’s painful coming out of those procedures. I’ve had procedures done and typically try and stay away from all that stuff (painkillers) because I just know there can potentially be a downfall to it.
“He’s just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way, as well.
“But when you’re the player that he was and how strong-willed he is he thinks he can do almost anything and that’s probably why he’s probably driving.”
Jason Day criticised Tiger Woods after his DUI charge but admits ‘we all make mistakes’ (Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 09:30
Sir Nick Faldo demands accountability from Tiger Woods after DUI arrest
Sir Nick Faldo has demanded “responsibility and accountability” from Tiger Woods following his DUI arrest.
Woods was charged with driving under the influence last week after a rollover car accident, with the 50-year-old arrested and subsequently spending eight hours in jail before being bailed.
The 15-time major winner, who knocked back an offer to be the USA’s next Ryder Cup captain at Adare Manor in 2027, confirmed he is taking time away from the sport to prioritise his health and wellbeing after pleading not guilty to the charges following the car crash.
But Faldo, a six-time major champion and three-time green jacket winner ahead of The Masters next week, insists the authorities must do more to hold Woods to account and fears there will be no repercussions for his actions.
“I feel sorry for Tiger, he’s living 24/7 in pain,” Faldo said on a media call, including The Independent, from his Montana home. “I asked him that years ago, even before the LA accident [in 2021], but it’s all been self-inflicted.
“There are two sides to this right now. There’s one side, let’s care for Tiger, and then there’s got to be a responsibility and accountability side as well.”
Jack Rathborn 9 April 2026 09:10