By: Brian Albertson

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

As the wisteria and azaleas begin to bloom here in the South, it means only one thing to many of us……The Masters is upon us!

This year’s Masters Tournament is set for April 9-12 at Augusta National GC, featuring a $21 million purse.

Scottie Scheffler enters the 2026 Masters as the clear betting favorite, following a dominant 2025 season and an early win already this season on the PGA Tour.

Other top contenders include defending champion Rory McIlroy followed by the two top LIV Tour players Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Valspar) and Cameron Young (Players Championship) enter the Masters in top form with recent wins.

Other notable contenders this year appear to be current leader of the DP World Tour and former Masters champion Patrick Reed, Ludvig Aberg, Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup and Brooks Koepka.

Obviously the field is made up of the very best players in the world so anyone can win. There are always a few surprise players on the leaderboard throughout the week mixed in with the favorites.

On a local note, South Georgia will be represented in this year’s Masters by 18 year old Mason Howell of Thomasville, Georgia.

Howell is a High School senior and has signed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs next year.

He has been taught for many years by my friend and fellow PGA Professional Bill Connally at Glen Arven CC.

Conallyis an outstanding golf instructor and has produced many fine players over the years. Mason will be the youngest player in the field and undoubtedly will have a huge following at this year‘s Masters cheering him on.

I had a chance recently to chat with retiring UGA Golf Head Coach Chris Haack and he is always very proud of his former players that have made it to the PGA Tour and the Majors.

This year, former UGA Golfers Harris English, Russell Henley, Sepp Straka, Brian Harman and two time Masters Champion Bubba Watson will all be in the field.

A couple of other local Saint Simons/Sea Island residents competing this year are Andrew Novak and 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson. We wish all of our locally connected players the best of luck as they pursue the coveted Green Jacket.

I have attended the Masters tournament every year since 1984 with the exception of the Covid year.

I always look forward to returning each spring. Each year I love to walk the golf course and simply enjoy the beauty of Augusta National Golf Club.

The patrons are always the most behaved audience in sports just as Mr. Bobby Jones would wish.

I am quite certain Mr. Jones looks down with great pride at what he created many years ago at this old nursery in Augusta. It is truly spectacular and is set to write the next chapter of Masters history.

Enjoy This Year’s Masters.