The End of an Era: A Masters Without Tiger & Phil - April 3rd, 2026

On April 3rd, 2026, we preview a historic Masters tournament missing its two biggest icons, track Rory McIlroy's title defense, and break down the exploding financial landscape of modern golf.THE MASTERS / END OF AN ERAFor the first time since 1994, Augusta National will not host Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson. Mickelson is stepping away for his wife Amy's health, while Woods faces legal and medical hurdles following his rollover crash."Yeah I was just talking with the president," Woods told deputies on bodycam footage after Donald Trump called to apologize.Judge Darren Steele has officially granted Tiger permission to travel overseas for inpatient treatment.PGA TOUR / THE CONTENDERSWorld No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is on a three-week baby hiatus amid a slight form dip, leaving defending champion Rory McIlroy to chase back-to-back green jackets despite battling recent back spasms from Bay Hill.McIlroy says he has a "freeing feeling" returning to Augusta after beating Justin Rose last year for the Career Grand Slam, ahead of his April 12 CBS special.Xander Schauffele is battling Augusta claustrophobia, admitting his psychological torment on the 18th hole is that "those trees have gotten a lot bigger."LIV GOLF / GLOBAL MOMENTUMLIV Golf is surging ahead of the major season, with Jon Rahm fighting European Tour fines to save his Ryder Cup eligibility and Bryson DeChambeau securing back-to-back playoff victories in Singapore and South Africa."I knocked the camera off gosh dang it," laughed DeChambeau during a viral promotional stunt in Hong Kong.Per Joel Beall's Golf Digest report, top players are now operating like CEOs, pulling in $60 million and traveling with entourages large enough for "five on five pickup basketball."Quick HitsCollin Morikawa's devastating Valero withdrawal ("I cannot swing through it") • Chris Gotterup's confident rookie Masters debut as the season's only two-time winner • Stephen A. Smith's controversial driver comments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.