Jason Day has been practicing at Augusta National since Friday ahead of the Masters, spending three to four hours each day on the driving range. He was spotted wearing a Malbon vest while practicing on Monday, but his outfit choices have faced scrutiny from tournament officials. Masters officials asked Day to tone down his outfit designs last year after he submitted his planned outfits, and he was warned in 2024 about an 'inappropriate' sweater and told to change. Malbon's 2026 Masters collection for Day was rejected by Augusta National, though it remains unknown whether the vest worn during practice complies with the dress code for the tournament. Day tied for eighth place at the Masters 12 months ago.
Limited edition garden gnomes are sold at Augusta National during Masters week, retailing for $49.50 with approximately 1,000 available each day. The 2026 gnome edition depicts a bearded patron holding a green and white Masters umbrella. These items have sparked a secondary market frenzy, with the 2026 gnome appearing for around £650, the original 2016 gnome fetching around £7,500, and a complete collection from 2016-25 listed on eBay for £30,000. Gnomes were introduced in 2016 as gifts to grandees in Masters hospitality and went on public sale in 2018, and they sell out within an hour each day. Masters attendees are allowed re-entry, so they can return gnomes to their vehicles. There are rumors that Augusta National will stop selling gnomes after this year's tournament, but the club has offered no comment on the gnome's future, leaving it unknown whether sales will definitively end or what the motive behind a potential retirement might be. The precise number of gnomes available daily is only estimated, and how the resale market impacts the patron experience, as perceived by officials, remains unclear.
Early in tournament week, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau were spotted on the driving range on Sunday, while defending champion Rory McIlroy has been at Augusta National, attending the Augusta National Women's Amateur and Drive, Chip and Putt. Many patrons at Augusta National on Monday morning prioritized visiting the gift shop, leading Augusta National staff to cut off the queue due to overcrowding and later reopen it.
During his practice round on Monday, Cam Smith noticed the grass at Augusta National is fuller and the course is already pretty firm. Warm and dry conditions are forecast for the rest of the week, with temperatures close to 30°C over the weekend. A new Player Services Building has opened at Augusta National this year, providing dining, training, recovery facilities, and a new locker room for players.
Augusta National Inc. has 67 registered or pending trademarks with US authorities, including the phrase 'A Tradition Unlike Any Other'. Broadcasters are reportedly unable to use phrases like 'fans', 'back nine', and 'driving range' and must use 'patrons', 'second nine', and 'Tournament Practice Facility' instead. The Masters makes an estimated $70 million in annual merchandising revenue.
Cam Smith has missed the cut just once in his nine visits to the Masters and finished T2 at the Masters in 2020. Sandwiches at Augusta National cost no more than $3 and beer around $6, maintaining affordable concessions for patrons.