The Masters Preview

Divine intervention, ANWA trauma center, and pastry chefs

Hello friends,

Let’s get right into it. Russell Henley is winning the 2026 Masters. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. God does.

I’m sitting with my family at Easter Mass. We got there early to be rewarded with five seats that fit three. We’re shoulder to shoulder with fifteen minutes until showtime and my mind wanders to the golf course across the street from the church—the one I caddied at for ten years; the course that raised me with its massive greens, older caddies telling stories about their freshmen years at college (all of them false), the Monday rounds, the evil superintendent, and the stories of members that would land some of them in prison if written here.

I got through the front nine in my head. I was a modest two over—three was always a &%#$* of a second shot. That’s when an usher came up to our pew to scout the empty seats, of which there were none. His name badge flashed as he turned, snapping me out of my day dream. On it, in all caps font, was written “RUSS.” And if you know anything about the Irish, it’s that we’re a superstitious bunch. So there’s your winner. Place your bets accordingly. Your bank account will thank me later.

As for the other stories heading into the first major, here’s a few quick hitters: It’s the first time since 1994 that neither Phil nor Tiger will be in the field. First timers are all the rage; think Gotterup, Bridgeman, Ben Griffin, McKibbin, and Marco Penge. For those wondering, and I know many of you are, Aldrich Potgeiter is making his second start, his first since 2023. These guys are good. It’s easy to fall into the trap that one of them could get hot—Bridgeman could make a billion putts, Gotterup can turn the course into a par 67, things of that nature. But read that list of names again and zoom out. Are they really gonna beat Scottie Scheffler over 72 holes? At Augusta National? On the first time they’ve ever played the course? Doesn’t matter. Russ is winning anyways.

The other hot stories this week are if Rory and Scottie will be at their best. Neither have played since the Players. Rory tweaked his back. Scottie and his wife had their second child. People think Rory will be freed up. McGinley thinks he’s got too many obligations as the defending champ.

The next duo of speculation is Bryson and Rahm. They’ve spent the last two months dueling each other in South Africa and Singapore and probably Tehran if it meant #growingthegame. Statistically, they’re coming into the Masters with their best form, whatever that means beating up on the 2014 International Presidents Cup Team every week (Abraham Ancer is low key playing some good golf. Vamos!). I expect both of them to be around come Sunday morning.

Those are the main headlines. If you look back at the last six years, there’s been a small handful of guys that can actually win this tournament. Scottie, Rory, Rahm. All top two players in the world at the time. From there, it’s a matter of a lucky bounce, the right side of the draw, and the nerves to get it done.

Here’s a list of stories this week that no one is talking about, or said other ways, the things I thought about on my flight this morning.

1. Asterisk Talley’s implosion on the 12th hole at the ANWA is both sick and scary and would land me in a mental institution. She made a 7 on the par-3 with a one shot lead. She’s only seventeen. Junior in high school. Think back on your life at that age and the coming of age and the core memories and the neural connections being made for the first time. That stuff sticks with you. Molds you as an adult. Now imagine that experience being a quadruple bogey on the most famous hole in the world on national TV. Can you recover? I sure hope she does.

2. The lawn mowers at August. Not the machines. The people. There’s a scene in Casablanca where a couple asks to have a drink with the bar owner, Rick. The waiter turns them down saying Rick never drinks with customers. The man responds and says, “Perhaps if you told him I ran the second largest banking house in Amsterdam” to which the waiter says, “Second largest? That wouldn’t impress Rick. The leading banker in Amsterdam is now the pastry chef in our kitchen.” That’s what I think of the guys mowing the grass at Augusta. They all could be superintendents at any top 100 course in the world, yet their only job is to mow some fairway lines. Edit: Is that the dream job?

3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. We felt it with Bryson two years ago when we didn’t see him every week and it was refreshing when he showed up at the majors. I feel like the scales have tipped back on that one. Now we have Patrick Reed who has charmed his way back into the spotlight. In what world are we rooting for him? Yet here we are…

4. Would DJ rather be fishing than playing two rounds this week?

5. How many more times does Danny Willett play in the Masters? He’s 38 years old. He’s ranked 400 in the OWGR. Perspective: Amateur Jackson Koivun is ranked 167. How much prep work does he doe for this week to keep things respectable as a past champion? I think he’s the most fascinating winner of this century and we never really hear anything from him.

6. Who is going to win the 2054 Masters: Bennett or Remy Scheffler? That playoff is going to be epic.

7. How do Adam Scott and Justin Rose have a combined 2 major wins? And are two golfers’ careers more similar? Maybe Phil and Rory, also known as the Duality of Man.

8. Do we somehow live in a world where neither Tiger nor Phil ever hit a ceremonial opening tee shot at Augusta?

9. Is Viktor Hovland playing this week? Should someone tell him? Golf has a massive Hovland sized hole. Would love to see him get in the mix.

10. Gary Player is 90 this year.

It’s crazy to think it’s been a year since the car accident that was my Uber ride and the back nine of last year’s Masters. For those that are new here, here was last year’s newsletter, written from the back of a cop car.

Please flood the comments with your picks:

• Who will win?

• Who won’t win?

• Winning score?

• Story you’re watching

Happy Masters Week,

Michael

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