15 of the Best Photos From Round 1 of the 2026 Masters Tournament
Perfect weather doesn’t always make for the most exciting opening rounds, but it did make for some beautiful photos.
Rory McIlroy walks the first fairway during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesThe weather was perfect for Round 1 of the 2026 Masters Tournament Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. That doesn't always make for the most exciting opening rounds, but it did make for some beautiful photos.
Let's get the details out of the way quickly here: ANGC didn't bite quite as hard as it has in the past, but it's still early. The top of our leaderboard looks just like it did at the end of last year's Masters: Rory McIlroy is on top.
The defending champion has company after his 5-under, 67, as Sam Burns matched it and the duo stand two shots clear of a trio tied at 3-under. Kurt Kitayama, Jason Day and Patrick Reed all shot 69.
World No. 1 Scotty Sheffler had an uneven round. He eagled the second hole and birdied the third, but wobbled around the course the rest of the day. He only lost one shot on the 11th though, and sits at 2-under with Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose.
But visually, it was about as pretty a round as it gets. Here's a look at some of our favorite photos from Round 1 of the 2026 Masters.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesHonorary Starter Gary Player reacts after his shot on the first tee during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesJustin Rose lines up a putt on the 18th green during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesMarco Penge plays a shot on the steep hill on the 13th hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesCameron Smith taps one in on the second green during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesA detailed view of the flag on the first green during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesCameron Young plays a shot on the seventh hole from the 17th fairway during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesAdam Scott plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesA detailed view of a patron bag is seen on the course during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesHaotong Li plays a shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesRory McIlroy plays his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesBrooks Koepka plays a shot from a bunker on the 15th hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesKeegan Bradley plays his shot from the 12th tee during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShane Lowry plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesTommy Fleetwood chips onto the second green during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesRory McIlroy walks the first fairway during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
