Shane Lowry stood and spoke to a dozen reporters on Tuesday, his eyes fixed on the writers in front of him while occasionally drifting to the course behind them.
From the media flash area—right of the 1st fairway, outside of scoring, next to the big oak tree—you can see everything. It’s nearly the highest point of the golf course, and the sprawling property unfolds before you.
Giddy patrons trudge up and down the hills. One man double-fists a couple of Azalea cocktails. Another already has his collectable plastic drink stack three cups high. Michelle Wie West, Mel Reid, and Jim Furyk—not together, but all out here—mingle among the patrons. Lions star Aidan Hutchinson is out on the course. So is two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith.
A fan snaps a photo of Lowry. Behind him, a man takes a photo of his friends, and behind them, a woman captures a picture of her group. Under the aforementioned big tree, Stefan Schauffele greets his son, Xander, who walks by with a TrackMan in hand. Xander hasn’t won a green jacket yet, but he could this week.
Yesterday, Augusta National was the place to be—for players, for patrons, for instructors, for agents. There’s something magical about the Masters, and that feeling is amplified early in the week.
On Thursday and Friday, the scores count. Some players will be promptly ejected, while others remain in contention. But today? It’s Tuesday. There’s nothing but optimism, good vibes, and hope. It’s mid-18°C and blue skies. When it’s sunny, like it is today, the Crow’s Nest tastes better.
Where’s the happiest place on Earth? You could make a case for Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club.
“I think every time you get the invite, you feel rather blessed to be invited back here,” Lowry said. “I love coming back. When my year starts in January, this is always in the back of my mind. You always have the second week in April in the back of your mind. Even sitting at home last week, the build-up to it—I love it. I love thinking about it, I love the flight up here on Sunday, and just arriving and getting out here Sunday afternoon. It’s such a special place.”
You might point out that Monday, technically, should be the happiest day in golf, the first official day of the Masters. But storms marred the opening day, as the gates opened late and closed early. Lucky patrons who snagged grounds passes were treated to about three hours of access on-site, a little drizzle, and no sun. Many didn’t even see much of the course, choosing instead to prioritise the Golf Shop. Thousands sat in their cars for hours on Monday afternoon, hoping the gates would reopen. They did not. (Fear not, those fans can claim tickets for Masters Monday 2026.)
But Tuesday? Oh, Tuesday. You should have seen it.
A security guard near the gate called it the most beautiful place on Earth. Some wouldn’t call it hyperbole. The flowers—all of them—are in full bloom; the bunkers are edged perfectly. Patrons made calls from those old-fashioned payphones, just because they could, to tell people they were at the Masters.
The happiest people walked around with gnomes—one man said he snagged his at 8 a.m., one of the last ones on the shelf—though everyone here is friendly. Your phones aren’t allowed, so instead of staring down at a screen waiting for a walking path to clear, you’re forced to talk to people. The same applies when travelling down here. Same flight? Masters cap? We’re going to Augusta too! It’s a similar situation for players. The best in the world only gather four times a year these days, so range time also serves as mini-reunions.
Out on the course, instructor Sean Foley follows along with Michael Kim and raves about his potential; a security guard on the first nine talks about how much more fun it is to monitor the action inside the gates—not out on Washington Road directing traffic.
Brooks Koepka has said his Masters preparation begins in December. He’s not alone. As the first major, the Masters serves as the season’s initial litmus test. Whose game is in good shape for the summer? Who needs a reset? Is Viktor Hovland’s game back? Does Rory McIlroy win the green jacket? How about Joe Highsmith? He’s 24, making his first Masters appearance in just his 39th career PGA Tour start. What would a win mean for him this week? Life-changing stuff. He’s 350-to-1 to win, but on Tuesday, everyone has a chance, everyone’s optimistic.
Come Thursday, dozens of golfers will be all but eliminated from contention. More will miss the cut on Friday. Some will make the weekend, but not all will have a realistic chance to win. On Sunday, only one person gets a green jacket.
But on Tuesday? Everyone had a reason to smile.
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