20 years later, Masters memories rekindled with round at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy celebrates with his caddie, Harry Diamond, after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy celebrates with his caddie, Harry Diamond, after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy walks off the 18th green after winning after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy celebrates back-to-back Masters titles on the 18th green

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

When I left the Augusta Chronicle in the summer of 2006, I figured that was the end of one of the neatest (and most exclusive) experiences any golfer can have.

In that time, Augusta National Golf Club held an annual “appreciation week” for community members who helped make The Masters what it was that year – vendors, volunteers, security, media, etc.

As part of that, I was able to play the course in late May with co-workers. Not just once, but annually for four years: The first time in a monsoon of Caddyshack proportions, the others on warm, late-spring days in the South.

Each round was its own amazing day full of good (and horrible) shots, and plenty of stories. As two decades have gone by, they remain indelible memories, easily recounted at a moment’s notice when the Masters gets mentioned: “You know, Dan’s played Augusta National.”

In 2026, I returned as part of the USA TODAY Network’s in-person coverage team, which is a experience in itself. Augusta National remains the gold standard for sporting events, and watching a host of co-workers bust their butts for nearly two weeks (including the Women’s Amateur event) is inspiring and impressive.

The tournament has held an annual lottery for a small group of media members to play the course the day after the final round and I had only entered it once before. The two-decade anniversary of my last round, and the good vibes I was having back in Augusta, were obvious signs I should at least try again.

They made my selection much more special.

Going into Monday’s tee time, I expected I’d be looking around at what’s changed since I last got to be inside the ropes. And to be sure, there were a few cool first-time things and reinforced thoughts.

• The drive down Magnolia Lane? When you hear pro golfers talk about it … I get that now.
• The trees on the right of 11 are not as bad as they first were, but I still wish they weren’t there. That new tee on 13 is WAY back.
• I still believe the experience from the member tees (around 6,400 yards) lets you understand the original design better than the current tees you see for the pros.
• Hurricane Helene’s impact remains, even though Augusta National has done a lot to mitigate that damage.

Before all that, however, my mindset already had changed.

Before I even turned my car into the course and meeting the three other people in my group, all of them from overseas who truly were about to have the experience of a lifetime, I wasn’t thinking about what would happen that afternoon.

USA TODAY Network's Dan Spears in front of the Hogan Bridge and the 12th green at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, April 13, 2026, as part of the Masters Tournament media lottery round.

I was thinking about 20 years ago.

Old co-workers who haven't been front of mind in a long time. Covering this tournament in a different era. Embracing the success (and survival) of another Masters Week after we put the Monday edition to bed by celebrating in the Reynolds Street parking lot. Previous times at Augusta National as part of my job, and as a patron, too.

Good memories.

This time, I didn’t make any bomb putts, like the 50-footer I hit on No. 4 in 2005. We had no experiences with a security officer like we did in 2003, the man incredulous as we approached the Sarazen Bridge, supersaturated with rain yet still playing after a deluge of biblical proportions.

This day, instead, was filled with non-stop laughs, smiles, wide-eyed stares – and several great golf shots in there, too. My score far exceeded my expectations. Our caddie group was A+. The weather was superb.

New, good memories.

As I folded myself into my car in the early evening to drive away, I took one more careful look at the clubhouse.

When is “the last time” really the last time?

In sports, you truly never know.

But the chances of this never happening again are far greater than me returning to the No. 1 tee box at Augusta National and sticking a peg in the ground.

If this was “the last,” it’s everything anyone would have wanted it to be.

The 16th hole at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, April 13, 2026, as part of the Masters Tournament media lottery round.

Dan Spears has covered high school and college sports and professional golf since 1995 and now helps lead communications and strategy on those topics for the USA TODAY Network. He is based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and can be reached at dspears@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters Tournament media lottery selection rekindles memories of Augusta National