In November last year, after months of deliberation, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change approved the Maharashtra government’s proposal for leopard population control in the state. Although other states have proposed similar interventions
Voting is happening today for by-elections in Bagalkot and Davanagere South, Karnataka. These polls follow the passing of two Congress MLAs. The results are crucial for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Over 5 lakh voters are participating. Counting will occur on May 4
Arvind SmartSpaces has signed a residential high-rise project in Goregaon (West), Mumbai, with an estimated top-line potential of around ₹2,400 crore, marking its largest project to date. The development will be undertaken in partnership with Sigma Oxford Realtors and involves redevelopment in
Keralam Assembly Elections 2026: Thripunithura Assembly constituency, located in Ernakulam district of Kerala, is one of the state’s politically significant urban seats. Part of the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency, Thripunithura has traditionally witnessed direct contests between the
Jensen Ackles says The Boys' Soldier Boy personifies 'outdated and toxic masculinity' present in real world | ExclusiveJensen Ackles, whose character Soldier Boy, returns from the dead in The Boys' final season, talks to Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat. Apr 9, 2026
Where flowers bloom and dreams break
Augusta National presents a formidable challenge this Masters week, testing golfers with its unforgiving nature. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Cameron Young are among the favorites in a wide-open field. Experience, patience, and creativity are key to conquering the course, where specific holes like 12, 13, and 15 prove pivotal in separating contenders from pretenders.
In every Masters week, there comes a moment when a man looks at the course and knows — not hopes, knows — whether it intends to let him win. The pines are indifferent to reputation. The azaleas do not care about world rankings. The greens remember nothing of what you did last week in Texas or last year at the Masters. Augusta National is a test of specific competencies, and the course administers that test with the cold consistency of an implacable beast.
The green jacket does not negotiate. Not even with the best— Rory McIlroy spent a harrowing decade being tormented by Augusta's irreverent pines before finally, agonisingly, slipping into one last year.
The course seduces with impeccable charm, only to devour its victims whole — just as they begin to smell the flowers. Greg Norman and Jordan Spieth know better than most what it feels like to become an unsavoury meal on the back nine of a Sunday. Yet Augusta's allure remains entirely undiminished. It is the only venue in golf that hosts a major year after year, unchanged, unmoved — while every other championship rotates its stage like a travelling circus.
Wide Open Field
As the curtain rises on the 90th Masters this week, the field is as wide open as any in recent memory. The insatiable Scottie Scheffler arrives firmly in the cockpit, though his focus has been pulled — blissfully — elsewhere: he and Meredith welcomed their second child in the last week of March, expanding the family to four.
McIlroy, the defending champion, came in with questions, having withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a suspect back and limped to a T46 at The Players. Cameron Young, by contrast, arrived on a wave of momentum — back-to-back top 10s at the Genesis and the Arnold Palmer before snatching the Players crown from a valiant Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele. One of these men could be sliding into a green jacket by Sunday evening.
But the others haven't made the trip down Magnolia Lane to make up the numbers. The 91-man field includes 18 former champions, 22 debutants and six amateurs — each carrying their own green ghosts.
Two of the game's most decorated names are absent: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, eight Masters titles between them, are attending to personal challenges away from the course.
Data Analysis
After 36 holes, the cut will pare the field to the top 50 and ties — the survivors earning the right to compete for a lifetime of honour.
Augusta has always rewarded the same trinity: experience, patience, and creativity. The difficulty is that all three must be summoned simultaneously, sustained across four dramatic days, on a course that has a long memory and no mercy.
The faint-hearted are exposed here sooner or later — by the wind and water on 12, a wobbly wedge on 15, or simply by the enormous weight of meaning. At the Masters, every stroke truly feels like a dance with destiny. Especially the back nine — last year the average was 36.9 relative to 35.9 on the front.
Getting past the Amen Corner without bruises is almost vital to success, particularly on Sunday. While the tenth and eleventh holes have proved a consistent nemesis, the fifth has become a tad harder since it was lengthened by 40 yards in 2019.
Last year, the par-4 Magnolia was the toughest hole, with an average score of 4.324! The 18th, with a narrow chute to the fairway, and a hot glimpse at history carries a unique signature. But the key to success is scoring big on the par-5 holes — past champions have accounted for 75% of their overall scores or more from holes 2, 8, 13 and 15.
Three holes play a significant role in separating the pretenders from real predators. 12, 13, and 15 record the most variance in scores. A data golf analysis suggests that the 13th averages a dispersion of 8.36% while the 15th exceeds 7% — both are par 5s and clearly crucial to success at the Masters. McIlroy produced a stunning 7-iron from 208 yards, a hook around the trees on 15 that kept him in the hunt on Sunday last year.
The Contenders
Scheffler is hard to ignore, even when he is busy changing diapers. He already has two Green Jackets, and a third seems within his reach, especially considering his icy calm, and a bagful of obedient clubs.
The only chink, if you will, is that in the last six months Scheffler has only gained 0.40 strokes with his approach.
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau bring good form from their consistency on LIV Golf, but the field differential at the Masters will run significantly deeper and wider. Rahm has five top 10s and a win since his Masters debut in 2017. The Spaniard is aching to add to his major collection.
After missing the cut in 2023, DeChambeau seems to have finally unlocked the keys to Augusta, having secured top 10 finishes in his last two appearances. He was briefly in contention last year, before getting wet on 11 to bury his hopes with a double bogey.
McIlroy climbed one mountain last year to clinch the grand slam. He has another to scale this time — only three men — Jack Nicklaus (1965–1966), Nick Faldo (1989–1990), and Tiger Woods (2001–2002) — have returned to win the Masters. Whether he can surpass the emotional high and ceremony that accompanies the defending champion remains to be seen.
Ludvig Aberg can use some of McIlroy’s experience. Relatively young, the Swede is long enough to shorten the course and precise enough to find the greens. But he needs to discover some Sunday elixir to bring his skills into play and address some fragilities over the finishing stretch. He was second at the Masters in his debut in 2024, and finished T7 last year, after briefly threatening to take charge.
Schauffele finished inside the top 10 in five of the past seven, and he is knocking at the Butler Cabin far too often to be ignored.
Augusta National remains one of the few sporting venues whose geography is itself a protagonist. The place is the story. The course is not a passive backdrop against which talent competes; it is an active agent, selecting for specific qualities, punishing specific weaknesses, rewarding specific forms of patience and precision.
This week, the story belongs to Augusta National. The golfers merely get to audition for greatness.
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: Katy Perry cries during first performance after breakup with Orlando Bloom Trump’s New Car-Loan Tax Break Might Break Your Brain Glass vase for flowers that brighten any room with minimal effort Woman reuses wedding flowers to create a beautiful saree 5 flowers that will make your home smell divine Radhika’s bodyguard turns her shield during cute battle of flowers with Anant Forget smelling flowers Why Sydney is preserving thousands of flowers after deadly Bondi attack Edible Flowers Most flowers usually pick one father and stick with him
KEAM Admit Card 2026 released, direct link to download hereKEAM Admit Card 2026 has been released. The direct link to download the hall ticket is given here. Published on: Apr 09, 2026 7:34 AM IST By HT Education Desk Share via Copy link The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala has
Just now
Augusta National presents a formidable challenge this Masters week, testing golfers with its unforgiving nature. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Cameron Young are among the favorites in a wide-open field. Experience, patience, and creativity are key to conquering the course
Just now
AIIMS NORCET 10 Admit Card 2026 is out, direct link to download the hall ticketAIIMS NORCET 10 Admit Card 2026 has been released. The direct link to download the hall ticket is given here. Updated on: Apr 09, 2026 7:45 AM IST By HT Education Desk Share via Copy link The All India Institute of
Just now
Apple Arcade expands kids lineup with Nick Jr. Replay! and 50 retro gamesApple is bringing a new kids' game to its Arcade service, bringing familiar TV characters together in one place for families to explore. Updated on: Apr 08, 2026 5:09 PM IST Share via Copy link Apple is expanding its gaming
Just now
![New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): Actor Tamannaah Bhatia has offered an insight into the rare opportunities that female actors have lately received in the film](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/not-many-female-actors-get-opportunities.webp?height=520)
New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): Actor Tamannaah Bhatia has offered an insight into the rare opportunities that female actors have lately received in the film industry. In a conversation with ANI, Tamannaah expressed her delight about her upcoming projects and shared
Just now
Nine companies have cleared the technical stage for IndiaAI Mission's GPU tender. These firms are now considering the challenges of rising costs and short contract cycles. Such factors could affect their ability to make significant investments in AI infrastructure
Just now
Gautam Adani argues US SEC fraud case against him should be tossedThe US SEC lacks necessary jurisdiction over Gautam Adani and nephew Sagar Adani, their attorneys say, even as the judge agreed to hear the fraud case. Updated on: Apr 08, 2026 2:43 PM IST Bloomberg Share via Copy link Gautam Adani
Just now
Why Brittany Mahomes just entered University of Texas Hall of FameBrittany Mahomes was inducted into Tyler Athletics Hall of Fame for her outstanding career in her college days. The moment got heartwarming reactions online. Published on: Apr 09
Just now
Indian Railways is making summer travel more convenient by introducing a special train connecting Bengaluru and Kanpur. This will undoubtedly ease the rush of passengers during the peak season and offer a smoother journey for travellers. The latest announcement was shared by the official handle of
Just now
The Union government on Wednesday said that a secular court cannot determine whether a religious practice amounts to superstition, Bar and Bench reported. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, made the contention before a nine-judge bench hearing a case involving
Just now
UP News: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a significant decision regarding Agra. CM Yogi has announced the establishment of a new township named ‘Greater Agra.’ In the coming times, this township has the potential to evolve into a large and modern city, much like Noida
Just now
One of the most significant moments in Australian military history unfolded without fanfare on a tarmac at Sydney airport, when Ben Roberts-Smith was calmly escorted off a plane and into a waiting police car. The country's most-decorated living soldier and the most famous of his generation
Just now
The wait for the CBSE Class 10 and 12 board results may soon come to an end as the board’s result preparation process enters its final phase. With more than 44 lakh students having appeared this year, the 2026 result cycle is among the largest in recent memory
Just now
A U.S.-Iran ceasefire ends nearly six weeks of war, with President Trump claiming victory. However, analysts warn the truce solidifies Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, empowering its radical government and impacting global energy markets. The conflict reshaped the region
Just now
Manager refuses sick leave after employee follows HR policy, demands to see prescription: ‘Use earned leave’A manager allegedly refused to grant sick leave to a new employee, claiming it's only available when a worker is hospitalised for 3 days. Updated on: Apr 09
Just now
The Election Commission of India is set to deploy an AI-based surveillance system in West Bengal's assembly elections to detect and flag booth jamming and other irregularities. This initiative aims to ensure immediate action against voter intimidation and promote violence-free polls
Just now
Delhi man slips into deep water, drowns in Faridabad lakeVictim slipped into deeper water as none of his friends knew swimming; rescue teams recovered the body within 30 minutes after locals alerted police. Published on: Apr 09, 2026 7:54 AM IST By Debashish Karmakar Share via Copy link A
Just now
It might feel like a lifetime ago, but it was just last week analysts began talking about fuel rationing in Australia. This week, that prospect seems less likely. A temporary ceasefire in the Iran war has been announced, even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heads off to Singapore – a crucial
Just now
F1’s top technical minds are set to meet in London on Thursday to review the sport’s new power unit regulations. After just three races under the sport’s radical new power unit regulations, the FIA has triggered a structured review to assess what’s working and what clearly isn’t
Just now
What is common between khwaja sira in Punjab and Kashmir, thirunar in Tamil Nadu and nupi maanbi in Manipur? These are some of India’s traditional trans communities whose legal standing is left uncertain under the new transgender law passed in March. The law in force earlier
Just now
As temperatures rise and the pace of the season begins to soften, restaurants across India are reimagining their menus with a clear shift towards lightness, freshness, and flavour-forward dining. From sun-soaked lunches in Bengaluru to leisurely brunches in Delhi and cocktail-led evenings in
Just now
IPL 2026 Latest Points Table Standing: Gujarat Titans secured their maiden IPL 2026 victory, narrowly defeating the previously unbeaten Delhi Capitals by one run. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler's fifties powered GT to 210, a total KL Rahul's valiant 92 almost chased down
Just now
‘4-day work week, no set hours’: Founder encourages employees to prioritise mental health, shares whyThe founder’s LinkedIn post highlights the difficult transition from a "success-at-all-costs" mentality to a workspace defined by freedom. Published on: Apr 09
Just now
TV drama Euphoria has been the launchpad for the careers of some of Hollywood's hottest stars - and they have reunited on the red carpet for the premiere of the show's third and possibly final season. Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi are among the actors who have found superstardom since
Just now
Global oil prices rose in Asian morning trade on Thursday as investors watch developments in the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. The conditional two-week ceasefire has been tested after Israel launched a wave of deadly strikes on Lebanon, prompting Tehran to warn of a "regret‑inducing response" if the
Just now
Puducherry's political landscape is set for a fierce electoral battle as traditional alliances fracture and new parties emerge. Incumbent N Rangasamy faces a challenge to his pro-people image with new entrants, while the Congress aims to reclaim its stronghold amidst internal alliance delays and
Just now
Swastika Mukherjee has reacted strongly to Sourav Ganguly’s comment on Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s death by drowning. The actor questioned the former cricketer’s remark, which drew criticism after he wondered why Rahul went into the water in the first place
Just now
