The Ultimate Guide to The Masters: Everything You Need to Know

Discover the world of The Masters, one of the most prestigious golf tournaments, held annually at the iconic Augusta National golf course. This beginner's guide covers the essentials, from the history of the tournament to the top contenders and exclusive coverage on Sky Sports Golf. The Masters is the first major golf championship of the year, and it's the only one of the four majors to be held at the same location every year. First played in 1934, this year's event will be the 90th edition, with Sky Sports providing extensive coverage from Augusta National. The tournament will feature a star-studded field, including defending champion Rory McIlroy, world number one Scottie Scheffler, and other top golfers like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. The competition will be fierce, with the top 50 players in the world, previous winners, and other eligible golfers vying for the coveted Green Jacket. Sky Sports will bring you all the action, with live coverage starting at 2pm on Thursday and Friday, and earlier starts over the weekend. The notorious Amen Corner stream will also be available, focusing on the challenging three-hole stretch from the 11th to the 13th. Additional streams will cover specific holes, including the fourth, fifth, and sixth, as well as the 15th and 16th. The Masters committee invites players based on their performance, with the top 50 in the world at the end of the previous calendar year earning a spot, along with previous winners and other major winners from the last five years. The top 12 and ties from the previous year's Masters are also invited, as are the top four and ties from the other three majors. New exemption categories have been introduced, including winners of six national Opens. The last three winners of The Players and all qualifiers for the Tour Championship also receive an invite, along with the champions of five of the world's biggest amateur titles. The halfway cut at The Masters is unique, with only the lowest 50 and ties after 36 holes making it to the weekend. The tournament has a rich history, with legendary golfers like Tiger Woods, who won't be participating this year due to personal reasons, having left their mark on the competition. Woods, a five-time champion, has announced he will be taking a break from golf to focus on his health. The prize money for the tournament is expected to be similar to last year's, with the winner taking home a record $4.2m. The Masters is held at Augusta National golf course, founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, and designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie. The course is famous for its beautiful scenery, with azaleas, dogwoods, and other plants on display. The rules at The Masters are strict, with mobile phones banned from the course, and patrons required to follow a dress code and behave in a respectful manner. The tournament has its own unique terminology, with terms like Amen Corner, Azaleas, and Green Jacket becoming synonymous with The Masters. The Crow's Nest, a famous hideaway reserved for amateurs, has been the starting point for many successful golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods. The Green Jacket, first introduced in 1937, is presented to the winner by the previous year's champion. The Hogan Bridge, named after Ben Hogan, takes players over Rae's Creek to the green on the par-three 12th hole. The Honorary Starters, a group of legendary golfers, hit the ceremonial tee shots on the first hole to signal the start of the tournament. Magnolia Lane, the famous driveway, welcomes competitors to Augusta National, while patrons, not fans or spectators, are the people in attendance. Pine straw, covering the ground between holes, can make for tricky lies, and Rae's Creek, the daunting stretch of water, guards the 12th and 13th greens. The Sarazen Bridge, named after Gene Sarazen, commemorates his famous albatross at the 15th hole. The Tea Olive, the opening hole, is named after a shrub native to eastern Asia. Who will win The Masters this year? Watch the opening major of the year exclusively live on Sky Sports to find out.