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A New Era at Augusta: The First Masters Without Tiger and Phil

Rory McIlroy teeing off at Augusta National 2026 Masters Round 1

Masters 2026 Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns Surge in Round 1

Augusta, GA — The 90th Masters Tournament officially opened with a masterclass in precision at Augusta National. As of Friday, April 10, 2026, the narrative is clear: the course is firm, the greens are “glass-like,” and the defending champion is not backing down.

Round 1 Results: A Tight Race at the Top

The opening 18 holes delivered a leaderboard that rewards ball-striking over raw power. Defending champion Rory McIlroy fired a clinical 5-under 67, matching a late-day surge by Sam Burns.

Position Player Score Status
T1 Rory McIlroy -5 (67) Finished
T1 Sam Burns -5 (67) Finished
T3 Kurt Kitayama -3 (69) Finished
T3 Jason Day -3 (69) Finished
T3 Patrick Reed -3 (69) Finished
Rory McIlroy teeing off at Augusta National 2026 Masters Round 1

A beautiful golf course.

The “Glass Greens” Challenge

Tournament officials have set up Augusta National to be its most punishing in a decade. With a “firm and fast” profile, many stars found themselves struggling to hold the greens.

  • Scottie Scheffler (-2): The World No. 1 remains the betting favorite, sitting just three strokes back.

  • LIV Golf Watch: Jon Rahm (+6) and Bryson DeChambeau (+4) face a difficult Friday morning as they battle to stay above the projected cut line.

How to Watch The Masters 2026: Round 2 Schedule

For fans following the action today, Friday’s tee times will be critical as shifting winds are expected by mid-afternoon.

  • TV Coverage: ESPN (3:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET)

  • Live Stream: Masters.com and the Masters App (All Day)

  • Featured Groups: Watch McIlroy and Scheffler’s groups live via the “My Group” app feature.

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