10/04/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | APR 10, 2026

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Fast & furious Augusta Dry weather and wind set up tough conditions for Masters T HE world’s top golfers are gearing up for a demanding test at Augusta National, where firm, fast conditions await in the opening round of the 90th Masters. agronomy here they can do whatever they want. Most likely going to go with firm and difficult,” Rahm said. “It’s in such good shape and so healthy they could make it one of those Masters where the winner is six-, seven-under.”

Five US champs seek first Green Jacket FIVE Americans with multiple major triumphs but no green jacket made final preparations yesterday at Augusta National on the eve of the 90th Masters. For two-time major winners Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau and five time major champion Brooks Koepka, a firm and fast layout will test their shotmaking skills. “They are in a really good spot. They are definitely firm,” 10th-ranked Schauffele said of the greens. “Speed on the greens is going to be crucial, as always. Big accomplishment to keep three-putts off the card. “If you can really be disciplined, make sure your good shots are great but make sure your bad shots are in the correct spots, that’s how you need to play to be in contention. The hard part is doing it.” Schauffele, the 2024 British Open and PGA Championship winner, was third at the Players Championship and fourth at the Valspar Championship in his final Masters tuneups. “It’s nice to have a few good events under my belt,” Schauffele said. “Definitely working on a few things and trying to get myself back into the picture here.” The 2019 Masters runner-up has five top-10 finishes in the past seven Masters. Seventh-ranked Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 British Open winner, has battled a back injury. “I’m taking it day by day. It’s not exactly where I want to be, and it’s unfortunate, but that’s just the body and I can’t push it,” Morikawa said. “It has been a little bit of a mental battle, just trying to trust with where it’s at.” For Morikawa, third at the 2024 Masters and in the top five in three of the past four years, it means seeking new ways to do familiar things. “Sometimes you’ve got to find other ways to get around a golf course. I’m making a different game plan than I’ve come up with in the past,“ he said. “It’s frustrating, but at the same time, I can’t do anything stupid… What’s amazing is chipping and putting still feel great. Just got to be able to get the ball there.” World No. 15 Thomas, the 2017 and 2022 PGA Championship winner, underwent microdiscectomy back surgery last November to address nagging hip pain and returned to play in February. Thomas, who won last year’s PGA Heritage title the week after the Masters, was eighth at last month’s Players Championship in just his second event back. “Coming off of six months off competition, definitely proud and happy of that and hopefully just get a little bit of momentum,” Thomas said. “I felt very comfortable.” Koepka, a two-time US Open champion and three time PGA Championship winner, has a history of peaking his game for the majors through a build-up for weeks during PGA Tour events. “I’ve always been a slow starter,” Koepka said. “Sometimes that first week I’m not exactly sharp. Then the second and third week I just got better, so a lot of those were teed up for majors.” Two-time US Open winner DeChambeau, ranked 24th, likes his complete game and hopes to improve on his fifth-place showing from last year, his best Masters finish. “I feel like I’m driving it well, wedging it well, chipping it pretty well, putting it well. Iron play as well,” DeChambeau said. “Just making sure the numbers are correct and hitting my distances and missing in the right places.” – AFP

and two-year-old son Bennett to the event. “It is really nice,” Scheffler said. “Major cham pionships can be stressful as you prepare for them, and having an afternoon like this where you can come out and relax and have some fun with my family is really nice.” The atmosphere was especially touch ing for Gary Woodland, whose victory at Houston two weeks ago was his first since the 2019 US Open and since undergoing 2023 brain surgery that left him fighting an anxiety disorder just to play. “This is what the fight is for,”Woodland said. “To share this moment with my kids is everything.” Two-time US Open cham more when it’s dry,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting.” Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who edged McIlroy at the 2024 US Open only to lose to him in Sunday’s final Masters group last year, wants to build his rivalry with the five-time major winner from Northern Ireland. “Do I respect him as an individual, 100%. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. There’s no question about it,” DeChambeau said. “What’s so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.” McIlroy enjoyed hosting the Masters Champions Dinner, admitting to nerves before his speech. “I wanted it to be about all of us as a collective group. I wanted to convey how grateful I was to be there,” said McIlroy, who admitted putting a dent in the Augusta National wine cellar. “It put more of a dent in my wallet,” McIlroy joked. – AFP

ENGLAND’S Aaron Rai birdied the last two holes to win yesterday’s Masters Par-Three Contest and risk the event’s curse for the year’s first major tournament. No Par-Three Contest winner has ever cap tured the green jacket in the same year. “I’m not sure if it’s a good omen or not, but just really nice to play well, enjoy it and share the experience with my family,“ Rai said. The 31-year-old from Longer rolls on the fairways will be countered by difficulty keeping approach shots on Augusta’s undulating greens, which promise to be lightning-fast. “It’s about patience like it always is around here,” defending champion Rory McIlroy said, adding that if the dry, windy conditions persist “double digits under par would be an amazing (final) score.” “I’m excited to get the week going,” world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said. “The golf course looks like it’s going to get pretty firm and fast, so it should be an exciting tournament. “Feeling pretty prepared. My prep work is mostly done. Just get out there and start competing.” Two-time major winner Jon Rahm of Spain says players must “embrace it and go out there and play good golf” on the formidable layout under the Georgia pines. “With how much control they have over the

Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, sees a shotmaking premium in such conditions. “It’s such a demanding course. You can make a bogey any hole,” Couples said. “It won’t take much to send shots rolling off target, and that’s when the trouble starts. “It won’t help that breezy conditions are expected for round one, adding to the pressures for the field of 91. “When it’s windy it’s all you could want,” Couples added. “It’s spectacular. The greens are getting faster. That’s what you want – to play as tough as it can.” As 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia put it: “This course tests you every single hole. When it’s windy the wind switches and it’s really tricky.” Sweden’s Alex Noren likes the risk versus reward decision-making that Augusta demands. “It’s always a lot of thinking here, but it’s even

Rai wins Par-3 Contest, risks curse

England’s Aaron Rai poses with the trophy after winning the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament yesterday. – AFPPIC

Wolverhampton grabbed the solo lead on 5-under with his birdie at the eighth hole. American Jacob Bridgeman birdied the ninth to match Rai at the top but the Englishman, whose wife Gaurika lined up his putts, sank a six-foot birdie putt at the ninth for the victory and win ner’s crystal bowl at 6-under 21. “The experience was phenome nal,” Rai said. “Definitely didn’t expect to play quite as well as I did. But my wife was incredible. She read my putts for me. She plays herself. So really good teamwork.”

pion Bryson DeChambeau played with actor Kevin Hart as caddie. “I’m super excited to have Kevin out here to experience everything Augusta has to offer,” DeChambeau said. A big benefit is relaxing the minds of Masters contenders. “We get so caught up in what we have to do it’s nice to get our minds on something else,” said five-time major winner Brooks Koepka. “This helps a lot for sure, to do something so out of the ordinary, especially in a major,” two-time major winner Jon Rahm said. “This lets you forget about things for a couple hours, have fun before the tournament starts.” – AFP

In stark contrast to the tension-packed challenge of the year’s first major at adjacent Augusta National, the Par-Three Contest offers a relaxing outing on a special course with chil dren serving as caddies and often hitting shots to make for a family outing unlike any other. “We’re out here to have fun, just to enjoy one of the most fun events in golf,”said defend ing champion Rory McIlroy, whose daughter Poppy had her own putter. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who wel comed son Remy on March 27, brought him

Howell got McIlroy ball as kid, now joins him on tee box RORY MCILROY tossed a golf ball to a child at the 2016 Players Championship and that kid, US Amateur champion Mason Howell, will play alongside McIlroy to start the 90th Masters. Defending champion McIlroy, a 36-year-old five-time major winner from Northern Ireland, will join 18-year-old Howell from nearby Thomasville and American Cameron Young off the first tee overnight. Masters in record fashion and said, “I want to do that.” Now he’s the idol instead of the idoliser. “Rory was one of my idols growing up, so it’ll be a super special moment for me,“ Howell said. “I can’t ogle at his game too much. I got to focus on myself.

“I’ve got his ball in my bag right now, one that he gave me in 2016,” Howell said. “It says ‘Rors’ on the side. “I’m going to say I’m going to play the first hole with a Nike, which I’m not… That would be a power move, but yeah, that’s kind of the plan. Hopefully it doesn’t get back to him before we tee off.” Howell was born in 2007, just weeks before McIlroy was low amateur in his major debut at the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie at age 18. “I just think about the time span,” McIlroy said. “I’ve been lucky that the people I looked up to took me under their wing when I was starting off. That’s the incredible thing about golf that not a lot of other sports have.” – AFP

“I’ll be super excited but at the same time I’ll be super nervous – just controlling my emotions and sticking to my game plan and just having fun.” That Nike golf ball Howell received from McIlroy spent years in Howell’s room, serving as inspiration. Now it will be in his bag when he plays Augusta National alongside McIlroy.

“The incredible thing about our game is because our careers are long, so many generations overlap,” McIlroy said. “I remember playing the first two rounds of the 2010 US Open with Tom Watson. That’s incredible to think about now.” McIlroy watched Tiger Woods win the 1997