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Rory McIlroy Begins Masters Title Defense April 9

4/7/2026

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Summary

McIlroy Defends Title

Rory McIlroy, defending Masters champion, will begin his title defense on April 9 at 15:31 BST, with Cameron Young and amateur Mason Howell.
He aims to become the fourth player to repeat as Masters champion.
The tournament features 91 golfers, including world number one Scottie Scheffler.
Notable pairings include Justin Rose with Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka.
The weather forecast calls for a high of 73°F with breezy conditions.

Summary

McIlroy Aims for Repeat

Rory McIlroy arrives at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, free from pressure after last year's win.
He aims to become the first since Tiger Woods to win consecutive Masters titles.
Scottie Scheffler welcomed a new child and is favored to win again.
Tiger Woods will not participate this year as he seeks treatment following a DUI incident.

History

Historical Context

Tiger Woods made history in 1997 by winning the Masters Tournament at age 21, becoming the first African American champion and achieving the largest margin of victory at 12 strokes. His record-setting score of 270 (–18) inspired a new generation of golfers and significantly increased television viewership, with 44 million tuning in for the final round, reshaping golf's competitive landscape and promoting diversity in the sport.

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McIlroy Defends Title

Rory McIlroy, defending Masters champion, will begin his title defense on April 9 at 15:31 BST, with Cameron Young and amateur Mason Howell.
He aims to become the fourth player to repeat as Masters champion.
The tournament features 91 golfers, including world number one Scottie Scheffler.
Notable pairings include Justin Rose with Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka.
The weather forecast calls for a high of 73°F with breezy conditions.

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