The Masters 2026 preview: the big storylines going into Augusta

There’s always hype around the Masters, but this year feels absolutely loaded. Not just in terms of who might win, but everything around the tournament - rival tours, redemption arcs, and finally, the focus has shifted from when will Rory win, which opens up tonnes of good storylines

If you care about golf beyond the leaderboard, this is going to be one of those weeks.

We’re a few years into the LIV/PGA divide, but Augusta is still the one place where it all comes together. And the LIV players aren’t just filling spots in the field anymore - they’re genuine contenders.

Bryson DeChambeau looks like a real threat again. When he’s on, Augusta suddenly feels a lot shorter than it should. Rahm is as solid as ever and remains one of the most complete players in the world.

What makes this year slightly different is the growing noise around contracts. There have been increasing reports that some LIV players have been offered routes to step away and return to the PGA Tour, and we’re now starting to see movement.

Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed are the standout examples. Both major winners, and both players who feel closely tied to Augusta, they’re now part of that group heading back towards the PGA setup. Reed, of course, already has a Green Jacket, and Koepka’s record in majors means he’s always relevant here regardless of where he’s been playing.

Others, though, look set to stay where they are. DeChambeau still appears fully committed to LIV, and there’s been little to suggest that changes any time soon.

All of that makes this week feel a bit more layered than usual. Augusta has always been neutral ground, but now it also feels like a place where the balance between the tours is shifting, even if only slightly.

And as ever, the course itself doesn’t care. It exposes the same things every year - approach play, discipline, and how you handle those greens when they get quick.

It still feels a bit strange saying it, but Rory McIlroy finally arrives as the defending champion.

After years of trying to complete the Grand Slam, he finally did it last year. Now the challenge is completely different. He’s no longer chasing history - he’s trying to back it up. That’s not always an easy shift.

When Rory’s struggled at Augusta in the past, it’s usually been because he’s tried to force it. Last year he didn’t. He stayed patient and trusted his game, especially with his iron play.

If he does that again, he’ll be in the mix. But his build-up hasn’t been perfect, and this isn’t a course where you can arrive slightly off and get away with it.

Back-to-back wins here are rare for a reason, and we haven't seen that since Tiger did it in 2002.

There are a few players arriving with real momentum.

Bryson is right at the top of that list. Cameron Young finally getting a big win at The Players feels like a step forward rather than a one-off.

JJ Spaun is another one to keep an eye on after winning the Texas Open. He’s not the obvious pick, but players coming in off a win can ride that confidence, especially if they’re hitting it well tee-to-green.

Scheffler is the constant. He just doesn’t go away, and Augusta suits him. If the putter behaves, he’s right there again.

The Masters always has a few players who bring a bit more context with them, and this year there are a couple that stand out.

Gary Woodland is right at the centre of that. Winning the Houston Open coming into Augusta makes this feel like a genuine comeback rather than just a good story. Given everything he’s dealt with over the past couple of years, arriving here off a win completely changes the conversation. If he can carry that level of ball-striking into Augusta, he’s more than capable of being competitive.

Justin Rose is another who always seems to find something here. Bouncing back off last year's play off he’s come close more than once at Augusta. Even if he’s not coming in as one of the favourites, you wouldn’t be surprised to see him work his way into contention again.

The course doesn’t change dramatically year to year, but the small tweaks matter.

The 17th has been stretched slightly, which continues the trend of trying to keep up with how far the game has gone.

But the bigger factor this year looks like it could be how firm Augusta is playing. With dry conditions leading in, there’s every chance the fairways run and the greens get that extra bit of bite, which only makes club selection and distance control more demanding.

That could have an impact on a few of the favourites as well. Rory, in particular, tends to be at his best when he can be aggressive into greens, and a firmer Augusta can take a bit of that away if he’s not completely dialled in with his distances.

The core test is still exactly the same. It’s about second shots, controlling spin, and managing misses. If you’re not sharp with your irons, Augusta will find you out quickly.

And when it gets firm like that, it leans even further towards precision over power.

There are always a few names just outside the obvious favourites who feel like they could have a week.

Ludvig Åberg is still trending towards a big win and Augusta suits his game. Patrick Reed and Hideki Matsuyama both fall into that category where their course history alone makes them relevant every year.

Robert MacIntyre is one you’d love to see go well. He’s coming in off a T2 at the Texas Open and looks close to putting everything together. Left-handed, creative, and more than comfortable shaping shots into these greens, he feels like the kind of player who could get on a run here.

Cameron Smith is another who always feels like he’s one hot week on the greens away from being right in it.

With all of the current headlines, how could we not mention Tiger?

Unfortunately, he won’t be in the field this year as he continues his recovery.

Whether he’s around the course at all during the week is still unclear, but even when he’s not playing, he tends to be part of the atmosphere at Augusta.

This year’s Masters feels more open than most, but it still has that familiar Augusta pattern to it.

You’ve got a defending champion trying to go again, a group of players arriving in strong form, and the ongoing LIV vs PGA angle sitting in the background. But more than anything, it feels like the kind of week where experience and patience are going to matter again.

Augusta has a habit of pulling the same players into contention year after year, but there’s also a sense that someone slightly outside that top tier could have their moment. Someone like Robert MacIntyre, who’s coming in with confidence and the type of game that can handle this place if it clicks.

And then there’s the course itself. By Sunday afternoon, it usually strips everything back to the same question - who can control their ball, stay patient, and take chances when they come.