{"id":43611,"date":"2026-01-13T17:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jbsagolf.com\/blogs\/?p=43611"},"modified":"2026-01-13T17:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:40:25","slug":"masters-2026-three-contenders-who-could-claim-a-first-ever-major-at-augusta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jbsagolf.com\/blogs\/masters-2026-three-contenders-who-could-claim-a-first-ever-major-at-augusta\/","title":{"rendered":"Masters 2026: Three Contenders Who Could Claim a First-Ever Major at Augusta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last April, <\/span>The Masters<\/span><\/a> saw one of its most poetic moments as Rory McIlroy finally claimed the Green Jacket at long last. Ever since that catastrophic collapse back in 2011, the Northern Irishman had only known heartache at Augusta, and that pain transposed into other majors as well. Despite being the most recognizable golfer on the planet, Wee Rors went ten long years without adding to his haul of four majors, but that almighty drought came to an end in dramatic fashion nine months ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Much like in 2011, the 36-year-old raced into the lead, and on Championship Sunday, he was five strokes clear of the chasing pack. Then, in true McIlroy fashion, a back-nine collapse – coupled with the charging Justin Rose – saw him surrender his lead, finishing 11 under and resulting in a playoff against the aforementioned England. However, it was Rory who held his nerve, nailing a birdie on the first to secure the win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the calendar now turning the page into 2026, golf’s major season is beginning to draw ever closer. The Masters will kick things off in April, but could anyone manage to secure their maiden major title on Augusta’s testing links? Let’s take a look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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