An SEC Fan’s Guide to The Masters

REUTERS/Mike Blake

By Chris Marler

There is not a greater spectacle in individual sport than The Masters.

For people who don’t get it, it’s almost hard to explain. Yeah, you know that privacy gate off Washington Road that’s a mile and a half from a Knight’s Inn and abandoned Shoney’s? That’s the most iconic sports venue in the entire world.

There are few places that are revered and known like Augusta National Golf Course. SEC fans might know most of the stadiums around their own conference. The casual college football fan may know what “The Big House” is. Most people know notable places around the world of sports.

Everyone knows what Augusta, Georgia is, though. Everyone.

It’s like if Fenway Park or The Rose Bowl were located in a strip mall between a Blimpie and one of those UBreak iFix phone places. It emerges unassumingly from a busy suburban strip lined with chain restaurants and shopping centers, masking a sacred ground of the game and $35 million in azaleas and fescue.

Jack Nicklaus kicks off the 90th Masters with the ceremonial tee shot…

ONE OF US! pic.twitter.com/8WJ2nEd4Mo

— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) April 9, 2026

My stepdad grew up in Augusta and his family owned a rinky dink, mom and pop grocery store across the street from the gates. They’d close the store down for two weeks during Masters week just so they could use the parking lot as a side hustle that would pay their bills for months after Arnie, Jack and everyone else pining for a green jacket was gone.

I remember him telling me when I was younger that he was from Augusta. He didn’t say it in a boastful way. He said it in a way of humble pride that this quiet little 18 hole course he rode his bike by every day, was known by everyone.

“You can travel to California or Canada, and over to China and down to Australia, and every person you meet knows exactly what Augusta, Georgia is.”

He was embellishing for the purpose of entertainment and bonding to ten-year-old me when he said it. You get the point, though. It’s a special place, on a very special weekend, that creates special memories annually and perennially.

Numbers to Know

15: The SEC has the most former players of any conference in college sports at this year’s Masters. It’s the eighth consecutive year they have led all other conferences around the NCAA. The 15 players hail from seven different schools in the league.

6: For the sixth consecutive year, Georgia has more former players in the tournament than anyone else in the country. Their six was one more than Oklahoma State, and they were one of just four schools with three or more players in the tournament.

65: A total of 65 colleges and universities from around the world will be represented in this year’s tournament. That includes 26 Power Four programs, multiple FCS and Division II level teams and colleges from Dublin, Japan, and Korea.

3: There are three amateurs in the field this year with SEC ties. Mateo Pulcini from Arkansas, Jackson Herrington from Tennessee, and one of the best stories of the weekend, Mason Howell, who is still in high school but a Georgia commit.

1: Former Texas Longhorn Scottie Scheffler has the best odds of any player in the entire tournament going into Thursday at +610. He’s once again the overwhelming favorite to win the green jacket.

It’s Masters Week! ⛳️⛳️

Here’s EVERY college and university that will be represented in Augusta this week for the 2026 Masters Tournament.#Masters #TheMasters #Augusta pic.twitter.com/9rPSDOG73P

— Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) April 9, 2026

Louisiana Ties in Augusta

There are two players in this year’s field with Louisiana ties.

Former LSU Tiger Sam Burns is making his fifth appearance in the tournament. The Shreveport native stayed home for college and chose to play in Baton Rouge.

The other player didn’t have the same route. Robert MacIntyre is from Oban, Scotland. Yes, that Oban with the world famous scotch and a 14 year single malt that will change your life, for what it’s worth. MacIntyre was born in Scotland, but played collegiately at McNeese State. He’s currently the No. 8 ranked player in the world and has the fourth best odds to win the tournament at +3000.

Louisiana will have 2️⃣ players with ties to the state in Augusta for The Masters this week.

Sam Burns and Robert MacIntyre both played college golf in the Boot!#Masters #TheMasters #Augusta #MastersWeek #LSU pic.twitter.com/t4mNkqQQpQ

— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) April 9, 2026