{"id":574317,"date":"2026-04-09T17:56:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/574317\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:56:17","slug":"masters-2026-live-updates-leaderboard-sam-burns-overtakes-patrick-reed-early-at-augusta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/574317\/","title":{"rendered":"Masters 2026 live updates, leaderboard: Sam Burns overtakes Patrick Reed early at Augusta"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 90th edition of the Masters is officially here.<\/p>\n<p>Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit the ceremonial opening tee shots at Augusta National this morning, kicking off the first major championship of the season in Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>All eyes will be on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-rory-mcilroys-full-circle-moment-364-days-in-the-making-185828335.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:Rory McIlroy early this week after his historic win last season;cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Rory McIlroy early this week after his historic win last season;slk:Rory McIlroy early this week after his historic win last season;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Rory McIlroy early this week after his historic win last season&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Rory McIlroy early this week after his historic win last season<\/a>, which completed the career Grand Slam and finally earned him a green jacket after years of falling short in Augusta. McIlroy has only made four PGA Tour starts this season, however, and was dealing with a back injury last month that caused him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational.<\/p>\n<p>Top-ranked <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/before-he-won-the-masters-scottie-scheffler-witnessed-one-of-the-masters-greatest-moments-as-a-fan-202608200.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:Scottie Scheffler is also back in the field;cpos:2;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Scottie Scheffler is also back in the field;slk:Scottie Scheffler is also back in the field;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Scottie Scheffler is also back in the field&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Scottie Scheffler is also back in the field<\/a> after he and his wife, Meredith, welcomed their second child not quite two weeks ago. Scheffler is the betting favorite. There are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-only-10-liv-golf-members-are-in-the-field-at-augusta-national-this-spring-202410399.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:10 LIV Golf members playing;cpos:3;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:10 LIV Golf members playing;slk:10 LIV Golf members playing;cpos:3;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;10 LIV Golf members playing&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">10 LIV Golf members playing<\/a>, led by Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, and six amateurs, too. They\u2019re <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-who-are-the-6-amateurs-in-the-field-this-week-at-augusta-national-192754587.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:vying for the Silver Cup;cpos:4;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:vying for the Silver Cup;slk:vying for the Silver Cup;cpos:4;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;vying for the Silver Cup&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">vying for the Silver Cup<\/a>, but will have to make the cut to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Amazon Prime Video: 1-3 p.m. ET<br \/>ESPN: 3-7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>All times ET<\/p>\n<p>10:07 a.m.: Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele<br \/>10:31 a.m.: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Mason Howell (a)<br \/>1:08 p.m.: Jon Rahm, Chris Gotterup, Ludvig \u00c5berg<br \/>1:20 p.m.: Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka<br \/>1:44 p.m.: Scottie Scheffler, Robert MacIntyre, Gary Woodland<\/p>\n<p>Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest updates and highlights from Round 1 of the 2026 Masters:<\/p>\n<p>Live24 updates<img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>Well, things are not going well for Bryson DeChambeau so far at Augusta. He just made a triple bogey after needing three attempts at getting out of the bunker at No. 11. His drive landed in the middle of the fairway before that, too.<\/p>\n<p>Not great \u2026 but it\u2019s relatable. So there\u2019s that?<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 10:45 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>Shane Lowry was perfect from the middle of the fairway for the latest eagle out on the course so far today. He\u2019s now just one back of the leaders.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>After a sluggish start, the defending champ has birdied Nos. 8 and 9 to get it to -2 and onto the first page of the leaderboard.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, only three players have ever gone back-to-back at Augusta National: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.<\/p>\n<p>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Should we be surprised that Fred Couples is in red numbers in the early going, carding birdies at Nos. 1 and 2?<\/p>\n<p>Probably not, considering Freddie has the smoothest swing golf has ever seen.<\/p>\n<p>Even at 66, Couples still has it. But can it hold up enough to make his first cut since 2023?<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>There are scores to be had on the front nine at Augusta National, which is always true \u2014 particularly if you can take advantage of the two par 5s. Patrick Reed did just that, eagling both.<\/p>\n<p>Now he heads to the more difficult back nine, where he\u2019s already dropped a shot at 10.<\/p>\n<p>A number of players have gone to the back in red numbers, only to watch them turn black quickly. Only Kristoffer Reitan, thus far, has managed to buck that trend, carding a birdie and an eagle at Nos. 12 and 13, respectively, to get to -3.<\/p>\n<p>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 9:40 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Quite literally \u2026 at No. 8, Schauffele\u2019s drive wound up in a woman\u2019s shopping bag.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019d go on to par the hole.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 9:36 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>At the par 3 sixth hole, Bryson DeChambeau yanked his tee shot to the left and, well, this happened:<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to the lucky bounce off a patron, DeChambeau was able to get up and down for par. Through 8, he\u2019s still even par.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 9:24 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Reed has pushed his lead to two shots early here, thanks to a second eagle at the par-5 8th.<\/p>\n<p>He was already just the sixth player in Masters history to open the tournament going birdie-eagle. Now, he\u2019s the second to ever card two birdies in his opening nine holes of the tournament.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 7:38 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s only two holes in, but Patrick Reed is the new leader. Reed opened with a birdie at the first and then eagled the par-5 second to get to 3-under immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Talk about a perfect start.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Dan Wolken\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_449_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 7:30 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Dan Wolken<\/p>\n<p>A year ago at the annual Par 3 Contest, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-the-shot-everyone-wanted-to-see--would-8-year-old-frankie-fleetwood-clear-the-water-213913195.html\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Frankie Fleetwood charmed the entire golf world;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Frankie Fleetwood charmed the entire golf world&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Frankie Fleetwood charmed the entire golf world<\/a> and became something of a social media sensation for probably the cutest interview in the history of the sport after failing to hit it over the water.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been doing my hardest to get it over the green. I\u2019ve been practicing as hard as I can, just not reaching it this year but just trying my hardest,\u201d he said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n<p>But twice, Frankie just barely missed. His first shot was wet after it went a bit short and to the right. His second shot had the distance, just not the aim \u2014 maybe four or five yards right. Lowry\u2019s daughter enveloped him in a hug.<\/p>\n<p>So, so close. The process continues. But the kid is going to do it. Maybe next year is his year.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 7:19 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>With dry conditions, Augusta National is going to play difficult this week, so you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. One of those is at No. 2, the gettable par 5.<\/p>\n<p>Sam Burns did just that, carding an eagle to get to -2, and it a tie for the lead with Jose Maria Olazabal, who is not going away just yet.<\/p>\n<p>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 7:14 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a golf an of a certain age, you remember where you were 40 years ago when Jack Nicklaus turned back the clock, can still hear Verne Lundquist screaming, \u201cYes, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Thursday, Nicklaus opined on the victory, and our Jay Busbee was there to capture it.<\/p>\n<p>AUGUSTA, Ga. \u2014\u00a0If you can, ask your father or grandfather about Jack Nicklaus\u2019 Masters win 40 years ago in 1986. If you can\u2019t, you can imagine what they\u2019d say.<\/p>\n<p>Greatest Masters ever. Greatest golf tournament ever. Among the greatest sports moments ever. Brought a tear to my eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When 46-year-old Nicklaus rolled in that long putt on the 17th hole to take the solo lead that long-ago April afternoon, when he donned his sixth green jacket, when he stared Father Time in the face and the clock blinked, he didn\u2019t just win more accolades for himself.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/live\/masters-leaderboard-tee-times-how-to-watch-keep-up-with-rory-mcilroy-scottie-scheffler-at-augusta-national-113000673.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:Read the entire story here.;cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Read the entire story here.;slk:Read the entire story here.;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Read the entire story here.&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Read the entire story here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 7:10 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>No, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/not-even-the-masters-concession-menu-is-inflation-proof--and-yet-the-entire-menu-will-cost-you-only-7575-194202662.html\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:not even Augusta National is inflation-proof;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;not even Augusta National is inflation-proof&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">not even Augusta National is inflation-proof<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A year ago, a blueberry muffin at the Masters would set you back $2. This year: $2.50. Same for the southern cheese straws. And the cookie \u2014 that\u2019s gone from $1.75 to $2.<\/p>\n<p>And yet, the concession prices at the Masters remain notoriously low as they have for decades.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to try one of everything, it will cost you a grand total of $75.75 \u2014 or roughly half a quarter-zip in the merchandise shop.<\/p>\n<p>As for the cost of admission to pay these exorbitantly low prices, well, you either have to win the Masters lottery or \u2026 grab one of the few remaining tickets on the secondary market, which for Thursday\u2019s Round 1 will only set you back about $34,000.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 07: A detailed view of the concessions menu during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 07, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/df733a62-83f2-4e21-8d0f-dd8603549f98.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Masters food menu, while not inflation-proof, is still ridiculously cheap. (Andrew Redington\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p> (Andrew Redington via Getty Images)<img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:50 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>Gary Woodland knows it\u2019s not going to be easy for him <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-gary-woodland-ready-for-augusta-national-challenge-amid-ptsd-battle-after-houston-open-win-175357525.html\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:out on the course this week at the Masters;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;out on the course this week at the Masters&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">out on the course this week at the Masters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Not only is he competing in the biggest tournament of the season, but fans will be back into Augusta National. Large galleries will be surrounding the course, near greens and tee boxes, with all of their attention on him. That is often a trigger for Woodland.<\/p>\n<p>Woodland was diagnosed with PTSD after his brain surgery in 2023, and has been struggling out on the course ever since. Even at the Houston Open, which he won by five shots, Woodland had issues and was \u201cthinking people were trying to kill\u201d him during the second round.<\/p>\n<p>But Woodland said he\u2019s worked with both Tour security and the security at Augusta National to help him out ahead of the Masters so he can be as prepared as possible. The issues are largely visual for him, and \u201cif I can see somebody, then I can remind myself that I\u2019m safe constantly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/article\/masters-2026-gary-woodland-ready-for-augusta-national-challenge-amid-ptsd-battle-after-houston-open-win-175357525.html\" data-i13n=\"cpos:2;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:For more on Woodland\u2019s PTSD battle, click here.;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;For more on Woodland\u2019s PTSD battle, click here.&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">For more on Woodland\u2019s PTSD battle, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Gary Woodland of the United States smiles during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/02297399-f880-470c-87a0-03f4f06d73ca.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gary Woodland earned the last spot in the field at the Masters this week. (Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p> (Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images)<img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:49 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>Safe to say, Tom Watson is not a fan of those who jumped ship to the LIV tour. After Thursday morning\u2019s opening tee shot, Watson, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player held court, and Watson had this to say:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought the LIV players, when they left, they were supposed to be banned for life. If I was commissioner, that&#8217;s what I would do. I&#8217;d say if you&#8217;re finished with your contract with LIV Golf, if you want to play the PGA Tour again, you come back, and you must play the Korn Ferry Tour for a year to qualify for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Korn Ferry, if you\u2019re not familiar, is the feeder tour to the PGA Tour. And while it might seem like a punishment for the likes of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, Watson\u2019s plan would probably end up punishing that tour\u2019s players more.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:35 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>The 5-iron in Bryson DeChambeau\u2019s bag today will be one he made himself, using a 3-D printer, that according to ESPN\u2019s Mark Schlabach.<\/p>\n<p>DeChambeau has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to equipment. He famously uses irons that are all virtually the same length. But this will be the first time he\u2019s used a club he created himself.<\/p>\n<p>Risky on golf\u2019s biggest stage? Yep, but DeChambeau has never shied away from risk.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>Famously, in the 63 times the contest has taken place in its traditional Wednesday slot ahead of the Masters, no player who has won the Par 3 has gone on to claim the green jacket four days later.<\/p>\n<p>Of those 63 winners, 21 have missed the cut, while just 10 have finished inside the top 10. Two have finished runner-up, with Raymond Floyd losing to Nick Faldo in a playoff in 1990.<\/p>\n<p>The last five Par 3 winners have gone on to finish 51, T30, Cut, T50\/Cut, Cut.<\/p>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/live\/masters-par-3-contest-unfortunately-for-aaron-rai-he-won-153040854.html\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Par 3 curse did not sway Aaron Rai;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Par 3 curse did not sway Aaron Rai&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Par 3 curse did not sway Aaron Rai<\/a>. The two-glove wearing Englishman carded a 6-under 21 on his 9-hole round to win by a stroke.<\/p>\n<p>Rai, who made his Masters debut a year ago when he finished T27, currently has +20000 odds to win.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:13 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>Aldrich Potgieter got off to a tough start, with a double at the first. Think we all can relate to this one:<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Ryan Young\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757374_968_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Young<\/p>\n<p>For the first time in decades, the Masters will be played without either Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson this week.<\/p>\n<p>Woods has stepped away \u201cfor a period of time\u201d to seek treatment after he was involved in a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/breaking-news\/article\/tiger-woods-arrested-for-dui-released-from-jail-after-rollover-car-crash-in-florida-200127236.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:rollover crash and arrested;cpos:1;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:rollover crash and arrested;slk:rollover crash and arrested;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;rollover crash and arrested&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">rollover crash and arrested<\/a> in Florida late last month. Specifics of his absence, including how long Woods will be away, are not yet known.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/golf\/breaking-news\/article\/phil-mickelson-bows-out-of-2026-masters-due-to-personal-health-matter-in-his-family-192401150.html\" data-i13n=\"slk:Phil Mickelson bowed out of the Masters;cpos:2;pos:1\" data-ylk=\"slk:Phil Mickelson bowed out of the Masters;slk:Phil Mickelson bowed out of the Masters;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkPosition&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yPosition&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Phil Mickelson bowed out of the Masters&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" target=\"_blank\">Phil Mickelson bowed out of the Masters<\/a> late last week, too, and said he\u2019ll be sidelined for \u201can extended period of time&#8221; due to a \u201cpersonal health matter\u201d in his family. Specifics aren\u2019t known there, either.<\/p>\n<p>With both Woods and Mickelson out, this will mark the first time since 1994 that the tournament will be played without either golfer.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"THOUSAND OAKS, CA - OCTOBER 25: Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 10th hole while Phil Mickelson gets ready to hit during the final round of the ZOZO Championship at Sherwood Country Club on October 25, 2020 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by John McCoy\/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"489\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3bd7a4f0-77bb-11eb-9fbb-b5c98a6db872.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With both Woods and Mickelson out, this will mark the first time since 1994 that the tournament will be played without either golfer. (John McCoy\/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p> (John McCoy via Getty Images)<img alt=\"Jay Hart\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"dot-authorimg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775757375_514_dims.jpeg\"\/>Thu, April 9, 2026 at 6:01 AM PDT<\/p>\n<p>Jay Hart<\/p>\n<p>(As of 1:51 p.m. ET)<\/p>\n<p>Position<\/p>\n<p>Player<\/p>\n<p>Score<\/p>\n<p>Thru<\/p>\n<p>1.<\/p>\n<p>Sam Burns<\/p>\n<p>-5<\/p>\n<p>15<\/p>\n<p>2.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Reed<\/p>\n<p>-4<\/p>\n<p>13<\/p>\n<p>T3.<\/p>\n<p>Shane Lowry<\/p>\n<p>-3<\/p>\n<p>14<\/p>\n<p>T3.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron Rai<\/p>\n<p>-3<\/p>\n<p>5<\/p>\n<p>T3.<\/p>\n<p>Kurt Kitayama<\/p>\n<p>-3<\/p>\n<p>17<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Nick Taylor<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>14<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Day<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>14<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Tommy Fleetwood<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>13<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Xander Schauffele<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>12<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Rory McIlroy<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>11<\/p>\n<p>T6.<\/p>\n<p>Fred Couples<\/p>\n<p>-2<\/p>\n<p>4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 90th edition of the Masters is officially here. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":574318,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[134878,15547,22221,31747,427,25760,13755,7698,6082,5758,99,16339],"class_list":{"0":"post-574317","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-golf","8":"tag-augusta-national","9":"tag-bryson-dechambeau","10":"tag-career-grand-slam","11":"tag-gary-player","12":"tag-golf","13":"tag-jack-nicklaus","14":"tag-jon-rahm","15":"tag-major-championship","16":"tag-rory-mcilroy","17":"tag-scottie-scheffler","18":"tag-sports","19":"tag-tom-watson"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/574317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=574317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/574317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/574318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=574317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=574317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=574317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}