PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Sports

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson launched play for the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Defending champion Rory McIlroy is tied for first with Sam Burns after the first round.

Sergio Garcia hits from 14th fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Aaron Rai works his ball out of the bunker on the 12th hole. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Fred Couples, the oldest player in the tournament at 66, checks the wind on the 14th hole at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Amateur Mason Howell of Thomasville prepares to putt on the eighth hole. At just 18 years old, he's the youngest player in the tournament. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Patrick Reed prepares his third shot on the 18th hole during first round play at the Masters on Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Rory McIlroy and Mason Howell shake hands at the end of their first round of the Masters. It's tradition for the defending Masters champ (McIlroy) to play alongside the reigning U.S. Amateur winner (Howell). (Jason Getz/AJC)

Russell Henley hits from the bunker on 17th hole during the first round of play Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Patrick Reed and caddie Kessler Karain line up Reed's putt on 17th hole during first round of play at the Masters. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Harris English tees off to begin his first round at the Masters. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Sam Burns tees off on the 17th green Thursday. He ended the day tied for first with Rory McIlroy. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Patrick Reed and Akshay Bhatia cross Nelson Bridge between the 12th and 13th holes. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Jon Rahm eyes the first hole during his first round of the Masters on Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Cameron Young hits onto the seventh green at Augusta National. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Defending champion Rory McIlroy tees off his first round of the Masters. He ended the day tied for first with Sam Burns. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Amateur Mason Howell loses his hat teeing off on the first green to start his Masters experience. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Hideki Matsuyama, the Masters 2021 champ, prepares to putt on the second hole Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Mason Howell chips to the second green during his first Masters tournament. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus has six green jackets for his Masters wins. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Three-time Masters champ and honorary starter Gary Player "kick off" the 2026 Masters tournament Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Gary Player (from left), Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson were honorary starters for this year's Masters. (Jason Getz/AJC)

1/20

Credit: Hyosub Shin/Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com

Sergio Garcia hits from 14th fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Masters Par 3 contest

PHOTOS: Masters Par 3 Contest brings player's families to Augusta National

Masters practice round Tuesday

PHOTOS: Masters Practice Rounds continue

Masters practice round Monday

PHOTOS: Masters practice rounds begin

More Galleries

404Ward Hills4ATL

PHOTOS: Hills4ATL builds community at Piedmont Park, one hill at a time

Stone Mountain Easter sunrise service

PHOTOS: Stone Mountain Easter Sunrise Service

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store