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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ewan Murray in Augusta

Tradition, trepidation and that Augusta ‘thing’ – why the Masters remains golf’s greatest prize

Rory McIlroy puts on the Green Jacket after winning the 2025 Masters
Rory McIlroy struggles to contain his relief as he dons the Green Jacket after a tense playoff victory in 2025. Photograph: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR

They say the Masters is all about tradition. One involves the sense of trepidation that collides with excitement as the finest golfers in the world take to Augusta National. Rory McIlroy, now a Masters champion, was scared to take a divot when first taking to the Georgia venue. “For my first two or three times, it kind of felt like I was in a museum,” says Xander Schauffele.

Some visibly wilt under an intimidation provided by a course that is picture perfect. It is like the dazzling princess is concealing an axe.

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