The happiest place on Earth? Tuesday at Augusta National makes its case

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Shane Lowry stood and spoke to a dozen reporters on Tuesday, his eyes fixed on the writers in front of him while occasionally wandering off to the course behind them.

From the media flash area — right of the 1st fairway, outside of scoring, next to the big oak tree — you can see everything. It’s nearly the highest point of the golf course, and the sprawling property unfolds in front of you.

Giddy patrons trudge up and down the hills. One man double-fists a couple of Azalea cocktails. Another already has his collectable plastic drink stack three-cups high. Michelle Wie West and Mel Reid and Jim Furyk — not together, but all out here — mix it up among the patrons. Lions star Aidan Hutchinson is out on the course. So is two-time NBA champ J.R. Smith.

A fan snaps a photo of Lowry. Behind him a man takes a photo of his friends and behind them a woman snaps a photo of her crew. Under the big aforementioned tree, Stefan Schauffele greets his son, Xander, who walks by with a TrackMan in hand. Xander hasn’t won a green jacket yet, but he could this week.

Today, Augusta National is the place to be — for players, for patrons, for instructors, for agents. There’s something magical about the Masters, and that gets magnified early in the week.

Features

On Thursday and Friday, the scores count. Some players will be promptly ejected while others stay in contention. But today? It’s Tuesday. There’s nothing but optimism and good vibes and hope. It’s mid-60s and blue skies. When it’s sunny, like it is today, the Crow’s Nest tastes better.

Where’s the happiest place on Earth? You could make a case for Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club.

“I think every time you get the invite you feel kind of blessed to have the invite back here,” Lowry said. “I love coming back here. When my year starts in January, this is always in the back of your mind. You always have the second week in April in the back of your mind. I think even sitting at home last week, the build-up to it, I love it. I love thinking about it, I love the flight up here on Sunday and just coming here and getting out here Sunday afternoon. It’s just such a special place.”

You might point out that Monday, technically, should be the happiest day in golf, the first official day of the Masters. But storms marred the opening day, as the gates opened late and closed early. Lucky patrons who snagged grounds passes were treated to about three hours of access on-site, a little drizzle and no sun. Many didn’t even see much of the course, electing instead to prioritize the Golf Shop. Thousands sat in their cars for hours Monday afternoon, hoping the gates would reopen. They did not. (Fear not, those fans can claim tickets for Masters Monday 2026.)

But Tuesday? Oh, Tuesday. You should have seen it.

A security guard near the gate called it the most beautiful place on Earth. Some wouldn’t call it hyperbole. The flowers — all of them — are in full bloom; the bunkers edged perfectly. Patrons made calls from those old-timey payphones, just because they could, to tell people they were at the Masters.

The happiest people walked around with gnomes — one man said he snagged his at 8 a.m., which was one of the last ones on the shelf — although everyone here is friendly. Your phones aren’t allowed, so instead of staring down at a screen waiting for a walking path to clear, you’re forced to talk to people. The same goes for when traveling down here. Same flight? Masters hat? We’re going to Augusta too! It’s a similar situation for players. The best in the world only get together four times a year these days, so range time also serves as mini reunions.

Out on the course, instructor Sean Foley follows along with Michael Kim and raves about his potential; a security guard on the first nine talks about how much more fun it is to be monitoring the action inside the gates — not out on the Washington Road directing traffic.

Brooks Koepka has said his Masters prep begins in December. He’s not alone. As the first major, the Masters serves as the season’s first litmus test. Whose game is in good shape for the summer? Who needs a reset? Is Viktor Hovland’s game back? Does Rory McIlroy win the green jacket? How about Joe Highsmith? He’s 24, making his first Masters appearance in just his 39th career PGA Tour start. What would a win mean for him this week? Life-changing stuff. He’s 350-to-1 to win, but on Tuesday everyone has a chance, everyone’s optimistic.

Come Thursday, dozens of golfers will be all but eliminated from contention. More will miss the cut on Friday. Some will make the weekend but not all will have a realistic chance to win. On Sunday, only one person gets a green jacket.

But on Tuesday? Everyone has a reason to smile.