The Masters Tournament began in 1934 and is the only golf championship played annually at the same place. In 2023, Jon Rahm was the Masters winner and will return in 2024 to defend his title. The players who qualified for invitations have already been listed as part of the field.
Where will the Masters Tournament take place?
The Masters Tournament occurs annually at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Legendary amateur golf champion Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts started the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters’ Championship. Its rich history and tradition have made the Masters one of the most prestigious golf tournaments. The golf course is unique for its picturesque setting and for what it represents.
Many Americans enjoy placing bets on the Masters Tournament. As online sports betting is now legal in many U.S. states, they can place their bets in an online sportsbook. The most basic bet is to wager on which professional golf player will be the outright winner. Bettors can also place futures bets on odds to win the Masters a year ahead of the tournament.
When will the 2024 Masters Tournament take place?
The Masters is held during the second week of April. On Sunday, April 7th, the players will arrive and devote Monday and Tuesday to practice rounds.
On Tuesday will be the Champions dinner, a gathering only open to tournament winners. The defending champion picks the menu for the dinner and pays for it. The attendees are referred to as The Master’s Club.
On the Tuesday evening that precedes the tournament start, The Augusta National tournament committee announces player groupings and tee times.
The Par 3 Contest will start at noon on Wednesday, April 10th. On Thursday, April 11th, the first round of the tournament begins. There will be an Honorary Starters Ceremony before the first round.
On Sunday, April 14th, the fourth and final round will take place. The Green Jacket and the trophy ceremony will follow.
What is the ‘cut’ at the Masters?
The Master’s field is one of the smaller ones on the PGA Tour schedule and usually features between 90 and 100 players. Like other major golf championships, the field is trimmed down after two rounds. The golfers who finish the second round in the Top 50 continue to the third and fourth rounds. All other players are ‘cut’ from the field. It can be disappointing to be cut and have to book a flight back home. The number of golfers who make it through varies since it depends on how many tie for 50th place.
What does the winner receive?
Besides the prestige and a place in golfing history, winners also receive considerable cash prizes. In 1934, the first-ever winner, Horton Smith, received $1,500. In 2023, Jon Rahm won $3,240,000. He certainly won’t have to find the cheapest tickets when booking flights.
The Masters Champion is also presented with Augusta National’s iconic Green Jacket. After a year, it goes back to the club where it stays in the champion’s locker. The champ can wear it at any time at the club.
The permanent Master’s Trophy weighs 132 pounds and depicts the Augusta National clubhouse. It stays in the clubhouse, and the winner’s name is engraved on a silver band wrapped around the base. The winner receives a replica to take home and a gold medal. Winners also receive lifetime entry into future Master’s tournaments and 5-year exemptions into the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open.