The Identity
The Masters is the only major championship with a permanent home. Augusta National, a former fruit nursery transformed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, is the stage for golf's most evocative traditions: the Green Jacket, the Par 3 Contest, and the Champions Dinner.
The History & Heritage
Founded by the amateur icon Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts, the tournament was initially the "Augusta National Invitational." It has since become the benchmark for tournament excellence and exclusivity. Alister MacKenzie's design principles—generous fairways paired with treacherous, multi-tiered greens—remain the blueprint for strategic golf.
Iconic Moments & Controversy
From Gene Sarazen's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in 1935 to Tiger Woods' 1997 dominance and 2019 redemption, Augusta is a theatre of the spectacular. However, its history is also marked by a slow evolution of membership policies, a topic of significant scrutiny until the admission of female members in 2012.
2026 Recap: The McIlroy Redemption
The 2026 Masters concluded with **Rory McIlroy** securing his second consecutive Green Jacket, finishing at **12-under-par**. In a clinical Sunday performance, McIlroy held off a surging Scottie Scheffler (-11) to become only the fourth player in history to successfully defend the title.
- The Turning Point: A miraculous birdie on the 13th (Azalea) after navigating the new back tee flawlessly.
- Key Stat: McIlroy led the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee.
- Historical Context: Rory joins Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods as the only back-to-back champions.
The Champions Circle
To win at Augusta is to secure a lifetime invitation and a place in the sport's most exclusive club. But the victory is defined by more than just the scoreboard.
What the Winner Receives
- The Green Jacket: The most iconic prize in sport. The winner keeps it for one year before returning it to the club permanently.
- The Masters Trophy: A silver replica of the Augusta National clubhouse.
- The Gold Medal: A solid gold medal featuring the image of the clubhouse.
- Lifetime Invitation: Champions are invited back to compete for as long as they feel competitive.
- Honorary Membership: Full access to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
Recent Masters Champions
| Year | Champion | Score | Prize Money | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rory McIlroy | 276 (-12) | $4,500,000 | Augusta National |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | 274 (-14) | $3,900,000 | Augusta National |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | 277 (-11) | $3,600,000 | Augusta National |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | 276 (-12) | $3,240,000 | Augusta National |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler | 278 (-10) | $2,700,000 | Augusta National |
| 2021 | Hideki Matsuyama | 278 (-10) | $2,070,000 | Augusta National |
| 2020 | Dustin Johnson | 268 (-20) | $2,070,000 | Augusta National |