The 90th Masters Tournament officially commenced today, April 9, bringing the most anticipated week in sports back to Augusta National Golf Club. Millions of fans will be glued to Augusta National live updates as the first of the year's golf major championships tees off. This year marks a distinct changing of the guard: for the first time since 1994, neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson are competing in the field. Instead, the sport's modern titans command the spotlight. The battle for the top of the 2026 Masters leaderboard centers around two superstars: Rory McIlroy defending champion after finally completing his career Grand Slam in 2025, and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who is hunting for his third green jacket in five years.

Rory McIlroy Defending Champion: A New Era of Freedom

After permanently silencing his Augusta demons last year with a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose, McIlroy arrives in Georgia with a palpable sense of relief. The Northern Irishman spent Tuesday evening basking in the ultimate perk of his achievement: hosting the iconic Champions Dinner.

McIlroy treated his fellow past winners to a world-class culinary experience. The menu featured peach and ricotta flatbread, rock shrimp tempura, and filet mignon, famously paired with bottles of 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild that pushed the wine tab to an estimated $50,000. Past champions, including Mark O'Meara, praised McIlroy as a "very gracious and humble champion" who displayed tremendous honor to join the exclusive club.

Now, the focus returns to the manicured fairways. Scanning the Masters tee times today, McIlroy is scheduled to begin his title defense at 10:31 a.m. ET, paired with Cameron Young and talented amateur Mason Howell. If his trademark driver is dialed in, McIlroy firmly positions himself among the top Green Jacket favorites to pull off a rare back-to-back victory.

Scottie Scheffler Masters 2026: Chasing Historic Dominance

If McIlroy is the emotional center of this week, Scheffler is the undeniable statistical juggernaut. The Scottie Scheffler Masters 2026 narrative revolves around his relentless consistency. He enters Augusta having held the World No. 1 ranking for 186 non-consecutive weeks. A victory on Sunday would give him three Masters titles in just seven career starts—a faster pace to a third jacket than Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, or Tiger Woods.

Scheffler's life off the course has been equally monumental. The reigning Olympic gold medalist from the Paris 2024 games recently welcomed his second son, Remy, with his wife Meredith just two weeks ago. Despite his surging fame and growing family, the 29-year-old remains strikingly grounded. "I don't feel any different than my other friends," Scheffler told reporters on Tuesday. "I still feel like I go to work each day".

Oddsmakers clearly respect his "work," listing him as the prohibitive favorite at +500. Scheffler begins his Thursday campaign at 1:44 p.m. ET alongside Robert MacIntyre and Gary Woodland.

LIV Golf Contenders and Key Groupings to Watch

The annual convergence of PGA Tour stalwarts and LIV Golf headliners guarantees intense weekend drama. Beyond McIlroy and Scheffler, several other heavyweights are poised to surge up the 2026 Masters leaderboard.

Jon Rahm, the 2023 champion and a prominent LIV Golf figure, remains a massive threat on this layout. He opens his tournament in the afternoon wave at 1:08 p.m. ET alongside Chris Gotterup and Ludvig Åberg. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who sits right behind Rahm in the pre-tournament odds at +1000, heads out at 10:07 a.m. ET with Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.

The early morning groups also feature intrigue, with honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson having officially opened the tournament with their ceremonial tee shots at 7:25 a.m. ET.

How to Follow the First Round Action

For fans tracking the Augusta National live updates, broadcast coverage provides multiple avenues to catch the action. Early streaming coverage runs from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video and Masters.com, before the primary television broadcast shifts to ESPN from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.

As the morning dew fades from the Georgia pines, the chase for golf's ultimate prize is officially underway. Will McIlroy successfully defend his crown, can Scheffler continue his historic run, or will a new champion emerge from the legendary shadows of Amen Corner? The next 72 holes will deliver the answer.