Aussie quartet buoyant ahead of 2026 Masters

Media Release:

There is an overwhelming feeling of optimism in the four-man Australian contingent who will contest the 90th Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club, starting on Thursday night (Aust time).

Two major championship winners who also have runner-up finishes at the Masters on their record, Cam Smith and Jason Day, will lead the way for the Australians, Smith teeing off the first at 9:19am (local time) with his fellow Queenslander 24 minutes later.

The other two Aussies in the 91-man field - 2023 champion Adam Scott and highest-ranked Australian Min Woo Lee - have afternoon tee times at 12:03pm and 12:15pm respectively.

Scott thinks his second title at Augusta is “really possible”, buoyed by a strong start to the 2026 PGA TOUR season highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Genesis Invitational where he twice carded rounds of 63.

“I feel like I just haven’t been able to quite put it all together to win this season, but it’s been really close,” he said ahead of a milestone 25th Masters appearance.

“It’s a very fine line at the top end of leaderboards and getting it done, but it kind of feels like it wouldn’t surprise me if it all lined up and I was in contention this week with a chance which is kind of really what you’re aiming for anyway.

“So I’m optimistic and I think it’s really possible.”

Now ranked No.25 in the world, just three off his career best, Lee’s improved iron play and accuracy off the tee in 2026, backing up a sensational short game, pinpoints him as a real threat at Augusta.

The big change he is counting on this year is the addition of a new mini driver which he plans on using often, especially on Augusta’s dogleg right to left holes, including the par-5 second and 13th.

“Game is looking really good. Feeling good,” the West Australian said ahead of his final practice round.

Coming off a last-start sixth at the Houston Open, where Lee tied for third, Day was the first Australian to arrive in Augusta, six days before the tournament’s day one, and feels well prepared in his bid for a second major championship.

“I’ve had good prep so I’m really looking forward to getting into the tournament now,” the former world No.1 said.

“Obviously at Houston, played good there. I thought that was a great week to prepare for this week and then I’ve just been here so many times. If I can just get out of my own way, typically I play well.”

Smith’s tournament week has included two solo practice rounds as he tries to throw off his poor form from 2025 which saw him miss the cut in all four major championships.

Missing out on the weekend at Augusta was a first for the Ripper GC captain who had snared five top-10s in his previous eight appearances.

"(The game) feels good. Felt really good in Singapore and it kind of felt okay in South Africa but wasn’t where it was the week before so it was kind of frustrating,” Smith

"But a couple of weeks off and some good work with (coach) Grant (Field) last week so the game’s feeling really good.”

TV coverage 

All live programming on Kayo Sports, The Masters channel on Fox Sports 503 and extra Rounds 1-4 coverage on Fox Sports 505.

(Times in AEST)

Thursday April 9 – Round 1 – Featured Groups from 11pm

Friday April 10 – Round 1 – Amen Corner from 12:45am
Friday April 10 – Round 1 (World Feed) from 3am 
Friday April 10 – Round 2 – Featured Groups from 11pm 

Saturday April 11 – Round 2 – Amen Corner from 12:45am
Saturday April 11 – Round 2 (World Feed) from 3am

Sunday April 12 – Round 3 – Featured Groups from 12am
Sunday April 12 – Round 3 – Amen Corner from 1:45am 
Sunday April 12 – Round 3 (World Feed) from 2am 

Monday April 13 – Final Round – Featured Groups from 12am 
Monday April 13 – Final Round – Amen Corner from 1:45am 
Monday April 13 – Final Round (World Feed) from 2am 

Round 1 tee times AEST 

11.19pm (Thurs): Cameron Smith, Sam Burns (US), Jake Knapp (US)

11.43pm (Thurs): Jason Day, Shane Lowry (Ireland), Dustin Johnson (US)

2:03am (Fri): Adam Scott, Daniel Berger (US), Brian Harman (US)

2.25am (Fri): Min Woo Lee, Fred Couples (US), Fifa Laopakdee (Thailand, am)

Australian Player Profiles 

Min Woo Lee 

World ranking:  25

Age:  27

Major wins:  0

PGA Tour wins:  1

Masters starts: 5

Best finish at The Masters: T14 (2022)

The lowdown: “The Chef” is cooking on the PGA TOUR so far in 2026 and shapes as Australia’s best chance for a second Masters title. He’s already banked three top-six finishes this year, highlighted by T2 at Pebble Beach finishing T3 at Houston a fortnight ago. The  improved accuracy off the tee and iron play makes Lee a threat in any event he tees it up in at the moment.

Jason Day

World ranking: 41

Age:  38

Major wins: 1 (US PGA 2015)

PGA Tour wins: 13  

Masters starts: 15

Best finish at The Masters: T2 (2011)

The lowdown: At the start of his 21st year as a professional, Day is now 11 years removed from his only major championship, but like his Australian mates, comes into Augusta with good recent form on his side. He finished as joint runner-up in his 2026 debut at The American Express to return to the top 50 in the world and snared a share of sixth at the Houston Open.

Adam Scott

World ranking: 53 

Age:  45

Major wins: 1

PGA Tour wins: 14 

Masters starts: 25

Best finish at The Masters: Champion in  2013

The lowdown: There’s been some great signs from the Queenslander in the past 12 months that another major win is not beyond him. The US Open final round fadeout at Oakmont was a huge disappointment but his first 54 holes where he grabbed the lead showed he can still challenge at the highest level. Earlier this year, Scott had two rounds of 63 at famed Riviera to tie for fourth at the Genesis Invitational.

Cameron Smith

World ranking:  222

Age:  32

Major wins: 1 (Open Championship 2022)

PGA Tour wins: 6

Masters starts: 10

Best finish at The Masters: T2 (2020)

The lowdown: The owner of one of the best Masters records in recent years without a win, missing the top 10 just once between 2021 and 2024, Smith’s best had deserted him until he almost bagged one of the titles he craves when he finished second at the Crown Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. On LIV Golf this year, the Queenslander sits in 20th place in the individual points standings with two top-10s.

THE COURSE 

Originally designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, Augusta National features at, of very near, the top in just about every golf course world ranking there is. For the 2026 Masters, it will play to a total distance of 6920 metres with a par of 36 on each nine.

HEADLINERS 

Rory McIlroy - Defending champion and Grand Slam winner

Scottie Scheffler - World No.1 and two-time Masters champion

Bryson DeChambeau - Two-time US Open champion

Jon Rahm – Current LIV Golf No.1 and 2023 Masters champion

Patrick Reed – Current DP World Tour No.1 and 2018 Masters winner

 

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