First Practice Round for the 90th Masters Tournament
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Monday marked the first practice round for the current field of 91 golfers at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of the 90th Masters Tournament, which is set to begin on Thursday. The tournament remains one of the most prestigious events in professional golf, drawing top players from around the world.
Qualification for the Masters is typically based on a combination of world rankings, performance in other major tournaments, and exemptions for past champions. This year’s field has been reduced slightly from last year’s 96 players, which was the seventh-largest in the tournament’s history. The largest field ever recorded was in 1962, when 110 golfers competed. Only three other years have seen more than 100 participants.
Key Players and Their Focus
Collin Morikawa, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, has faced some challenges leading up to this year’s event. He recently dealt with back issues but remains optimistic about his chances.
“The honest truth is I’m taking it day by day,” Morikawa said. “It’s not exactly where I want to be. It’s unfortunate, but that’s just the body, and I can’t push it. It’s been a little bit of a mental battle, I think, just trying to trust where it’s at. The back actually feels fine. It’s just other parts of the body not cooperating a little bit.”
Harris English, a former Georgia Bulldog golfer and currently ranked No. 12 in the world, emphasized the importance of short game skills during the practice round.
“I think short game is a big key out here,” English said. “Bunker play, striking your chips well because there’s a big difference when chipping at seven or eight feet or chipping in to three feet. I think that’s a big key. That’s kind of what I’m focusing on a lot leading up to this tournament. This afternoon, I’m going to do some short game and putting.”
Xander Schauffele, who ranks No. 10 in the official world golf rankings, also highlighted the significance of short game and green speed.
“Speed on the greens is going to be crucial, as always, with them being firm and fast,” Schauffele said. “So, a big accomplishment to keep three putts off the card. I think that’s always a big goal here at Augusta [National Golf Club]. And then positioning, if you can really be disciplined, make sure your good shots are great, but then make sure your bad shots are in the correct spots.”
Tournament Details and Defending Champion
The Masters will officially begin tournament play on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday. Rory McIlroy, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, is the defending champion and will be looking to add another title to his already impressive resume.
As the golfing world watches closely, the focus remains on preparation, strategy, and the ability to perform under pressure. With the field of 91 players, the competition is expected to be fierce, and every detail could make the difference between success and failure on the iconic Augusta National course.
