'Rory McIlroy has been a wonderful champion' – The Masters’ modern era

Chair of Augusta National Fred Ridley was full of praise for McIlroy on Wednesday

WONDERFUL CHAMPION: Rory McIlroy looks on while playing the seventh hole during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters. Pic: Hector Vivas/Getty Images.

On the final day before the 2026 Masters begins, chair of Augusta National Fred Ridley took his chance to celebrate their current champion and try to shape the sport’s future.

Everything from Rory McIlroy’s conduct in the green jacket to his champion’s dinner to the recently released documentary was extolled by Ridley in his pre-tournament press conference. In 2025, Augusta National was finally good to McIlroy and, ever since, he has been good for them.

“One of the story lines of this 90th playing of the Masters is the return of our champion,” said Ridley.

“Rory McIlroy won his first green jacket last year and completed the career grand slam. Rory has been a wonderful champion, not only for his historic win, but the way he has represented the Masters and the game of golf.

“Over the past year, Rory has taken his green jacket and the tradition of the Masters around the world to Ireland, Australia, Dubai, his home country of Northern Ireland, and for the first time to India.

“Rory has a wonderful host at last night's Masters Club Dinner. That evening always is a special occasion, but especially when we celebrate a first-time champion. I should say that, like his golf game, Rory's menu and wine selection were world-class.”

Golf is in a curious place, at once restless and inventive, fighting for the limelight in all sorts of imaginative ways. McIlroy’s documentary is part of a wider move to reach that audience.

Anyone who watched the recent LIV Golf South Africa on TNT Sports would have learned all about the ‘Rhino Jive’ dancing challenge.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods competed for the first time in more than a year in the tech-heavy indoor Tomorrow's Golf League before his recent car crash near his home on Jupiter Island in Florida.

Woods has since reportedly checked himself into rehab in Switzerland. The five-time Masters champion’s absence from the first major of the year remains a talking point.

“I would like to add that we fully support Tiger's recent decision to focus on his health and well-being. Our commitment to the TGR Foundation and to Tiger personally has not wavered. We wish him the very best.”

But the point about promotion in the modern age still stands. The course, famous for secrecy and privacy, is conscious of it. That said, by the sounds of it, there are some regrets about the decision to let sports-comedy YouTubers film on the course in 2022.

“I do think we need to be looking at nontraditional ways of promoting the tournament, but more so promoting golf.

“A few years ago, we had Dude Perfect playing frisbee at Amen Corner. In retrospect, I like those guys, but that may not have been the best idea. But it does point out that we try things every once in a while that are a little bit nontraditional.”

Heady times for the entire sport. Ridley went on to defend Augusta’s position on a potential rollback of the ball, a bid to reduce driving distances.

“We hold firm in our belief that the greats of the game are defined not merely by how far they hit the ball, but their extraordinary skill in all aspects of the game.

"Their ability to shape shots, to take on risk, and to execute under pressure is at the heart of championship golf and is best displayed through a full spectrum of shot-making opportunities.

“Regulation of the golf ball is not an attempt to turn back time or stifle progress. It is an effort to preserve the essence of what makes golf the great game that it is.”