The Masters hands out solar eclipse glasses to Monday practice round patrons
Ahead of the total eclipse on Monday, the Masters Tournament handed out special branded solar eclipse glasses to the practice round patrons. The sun’s path of totality isn’t over Augusta National, but viewers will still be treated to a partial view of the eclipse, which will require eye protection.
In a highly anticipated return, Masters champion Tigers Woods is suspected to be playing in this weekend’s tournament. The Augusta Chronicle reported on Sunday that Woods arrived at the course at about 3:10 p.m. ET and walked the first hole with his friend and business partner Rob McNamara. Woods didn’t hit a drive, but he did practice chips and putts for “about 14 minutes.” The golfing legend has made the cut at the Masters 23 times in the past.
The 2024 Masters Tournament begins on April 11 and runs through April 14. It is held at the Augusta National Golf Course and includes a purse of $18 million.
The favorite to win this year’s tournament is former Texas star Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler recently won at TPC Sawgrass’s The Players Tournament and is the world No. 1 at the moment. Other golfers with better than 20-1 odds this week include Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, and 2023 Master’s champion Jon Rahm.
Jon Rahm wins 2023 Masters after comeback over Brooks Koepka
Coming from behind following a rain delay on Saturday in the third round, Rahm put on the iconic green jacket after winning The 2023 Masters. When play was paused during the third round, Brooks Koepka led the field with a four-stroke lead at 13-under. It didn’t take long for him however to slip up and bring his score closer to the field — tying Jon Rahm after the fourth hole of the final round.
Two holes later, Rahm took the outright lead away and continued to build on it. Rahm carried it to the end with a fantastic day, and finished at 12-under par to win the prestigious jacket. The win pushed Rahm into exclusive company with Seve Ballesteros as the only two golfers from Spain to win two different major championships.
While Koepka struggled on the day, Rahm stayed steady despite a small hiccup down the stretch of the first nine. Koepka did cut his four-stroke lead down to three after the 16th hole, but Rahm continued to hit excellent shots and kept his lead through the finish.