The Masters 2026 LIVE: Opening tee times, leaderboard and updates as Rory McIlroy begins title defence
Shane Lowry joins Olazabal and Burns in the lead
Two played, two under for Shane Lowry. Is he out to keep the Green Jacket in Irish hands? He’s picking up where Rory McIlroy left off, at least.
Matt Fitzpatrick was scrambling to make his par on the first after driving into the trees – but manages. Bryson DeChambeau has a look at opening birdie, but rolls wide.
There are also early birdies for former Masters champions Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson.
Leaderboard: -2 Olazabal (8), Burns (4), Lowry (2)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 15:26
Rory McIlroy ahead of Masters defence: ‘It’s business again’
Masters champion Rory McIlroy speaking before the start of his title defence.
“It has felt very different this week. But it’s the morning of a tournament and those same feelings come back. You’re nervous, you’re anxious. It’s a new golf tournament and it’s business again. I want to get off to a good start.
“For me, I want to stay patient on the front nine. It can play difficult. You want to be under-par through three, but if you’re not, it’s ok. I stayed patient on the front nine last year and I was rewarded on the Saturday. I want to play my way into the round.”
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 15:19
What Bryson DeChambeau said about Rory McIlroy ahead of this year’s Masters
“It’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry. I don’t see any problem with that.
“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.
“But I think that’s what’s so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.
“It’s one of those things like I got him at Pinehurst, he got me here, and I hope there’s more of those to come because it’s great for the game.”
DeChambeau said McIlroy didn’t say a word to him during last year’s final round (REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 15:07
Masters 2026: Olazabal joined in the lead by Sam Burns
Jose Maria Olazabal continues to tick along nicely – five pars in a row as he negotiates Augusta with all the calm and experience of a two-time champion to remain in the lead of the Masters at -2 (through seven).
There are plenty of players up and away now. Shane Lowry has birdied the first, while Max Homa has eagled the par-5 eighth. There’s an eagle, too, at the par-5 second for Sam Burns due to a stunning approach.
He joins the 60-year-old Olazabal on -2.
Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal leads the Masters (REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 15:07
Masters 2026: Upcoming tee-times
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy famously played together in the final round last year – with McIlroy giving his playing partner the cold shoulder, much to the American’s apparent irritation.
Well, they’ll be close together on the course this afternoon. A look at the upcoming featured groups:
15:07 Bryson DeChambeau (US), Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng), Xander Schauffele (US)
15:19 Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Collin Morikawa (US), Russell Henley (US)
15:31 Rory McIlroy (NI), Cameron Young (US), Mason Howell (US*)
15:43 Viktor Hovland (Nor), Patrick Cantlay (US), Alex Noren (Swe)
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 14:58
Masters 2026: Can Tommy Fleetwood outshine his eight-year-old son?
Tommy Fleetwood has twice been a runner-up at the US Open and finished third at the Masters in 2024.
Will this be his year? The Englishman will be starting his latest bid for a major championship shortly and many believe he has the game to tame Augusta.
But Fleetwood’s first objective will be to outshine his eight-year-old son, Frankie Fleetwood.
Frankie’s quest to try and clear the water during the annual par-3 contest has gone rather viral over the last few days.
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 14:45
How to tame Augusta National? Here’s what The Masters favourites say
Nearly a century on from the first Masters tournament, Augusta National remains a true test of psychology, strategy and skill which takes decades to understand.
Lawrence Ostlere reports:
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 14:34
Masters 2026: A horrendous start for Carlos Ortiz
I think you could file Carlos Ortiz’s first five holds of this year’s Masters under a ‘nightmare start’.
The Mexican is +7 through five, having made bogey, double bogey, bogey, bogey and double bogey.
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 14:22
Olazabal leads – despite admitting he can ‘barely reach’ greens
Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal admitted his week that he struggles to reach some of the par-fours in two shots at Augusta, giving how long the course is now playing.
The 60-year-old said: “I’m getting used to the golf course playing extremely long for me. There are certain holes that I barely reach the green in 2 – No 5 is a good example of that, No 11 is another one.”
But the Spaniard also said he was going to “enjoy it as much as I can” and he is certainly living up to his word: he remains -2 through four.
Jamie Braidwood9 April 2026 14:16
Inside the magic of the Masters – and why Augusta is always the main character
The hues of pink and green, the perfect curves, the idiosyncratic traditions – there is really is no place like Augusta National
Ed Malyon9 April 2026 14:00
