2020 Masters FAQ

The 2020 Masters will be like no other, having been moved from April to November due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

We answer the most important questions ahead of golf’s most glamorous tournament.

When is the 2020 Masters?

It has been pushed back from April 9-12 to November 12-15, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where is the Masters played?

At Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It’s the only major championships to be played each year on the same course.

Who is the defending champion?

Tiger Woods won last year for his 15th major title and his fifth green jacket. Only Jack Nicklaus has won more (6), and won more majors (18).

Is Tiger Woods playing this year?

Yes, Tiger Woods will be back to defend the title he won last year to cap an incredible comeback.

Will any fans be allowed on the golf course?

There will be a number of officials and crew on course, but there won’t be any fans, or ‘patrons’, in attendance due to COVID-19 concerns.

Has the Masters ever taken place in November?

No, the Masters has been played in April every year apart from the inaugural event in 1934 which ended in late March.

What will the weather be like for a November Masters?

The climate in Georgia is on average cooler in November than in April. (21°C average high compared to 25°C). There is a 40 percent chance of rain on Thursday and Friday, while it’s expected to be sunny and 21°C on Saturday and Sunday.

Will the course play differently during November?

Yes, due to the cooler temperatures the course will likely play softer and longer. But the bentgrass greens should still play firm and fast.

How does less daylight time affect the tournament?

There is around three-and-a-half fewer hours of sunlight in November compared to April, so to complete the first two rounds before sunset players will go off the 1st and 10th tees.

No blooming azaleas?

Autumnal shades will replace the usual red, pink and white of the famed azaleas. It won’t be the first time though. In 2012 all the flowers bloomed a week early and were gone by the time the first player teed off.

Who is the favourite to win this year?

After his six-strokes win at the US Open in September, Bryson DeChambeau is favourite. Followed by Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, and then Tiger Woods.

Will DeChambeau overpower Augusta National like he did Winged Foot at the US Open?

Possibly. The American has been testing a 48-inch driver – the longest permitted on the PGA Tour. He is averaging drives of 344 yards this year, but carried a drive 403 yards in the air in practice this week.

What other big stories could unfold during the tournament?

If Rory McIlroy wins he will complete the fabled career grand slam of winning all four majors: the Masters, US Open, PGA, and The Open. Only five players have achieved this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

What is the purse for the 2020 Masters, and how much does the winner get?

The winner will take home $2.07m from a total purse of $11.5m.

What else does the winner receive?

A replica of the Masters trophy, a gold medal and the club’s famed green jacket, which was first handed out in 1949.

What’s the par at Augusta National, and how long is the course?

Augusta National is a par 72 course. It has been lengthened in recent years and now measures 7,475 yards.

What is the tournament format?

It’s a 72-hole stroke-play event contested over four days. The field includes 96 players. To make the cut after 36 holes, players must be in the top 50 places. Those within 10 strokes of the lead also make the cut.

When did Tiger Woods win his first Masters?

In 1997 at the age of 21. He is still the youngest player to ever win the Masters.

What is the scoring record at the Masters?

Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015) share the lowest 72-hole score in Masters history: 18-under (270).

What is the largest margin of victory at the Masters?

Tiger Woods won by a record 12 strokes in 1997.

When will the 2021 Masters be held?

The 2021 tournament will resume its normal place in the schedule: April 8-11.

Following this week’s tournament, the groundskeepers at Augusta will then have just under five months to get the course ready again for the 2021 Masters, which is two months shorter than usual.