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Four maddening moments Augusta National unleashed at the 2026 Masters
TL;DR
The 2026 Masters at Augusta National featured intense moments, including Sergio GarcĂa damaging his driver in frustration during the final round. Players displayed heightened emotions, leading to ejections and other dramatic incidents.
Four maddening moments Augusta National unleashed at the 2026 Masters
Follow along with live updates of all the final-round action at the Masters Tournament.
As the most prestigious event on the golf calendar, emotions can run high at Augusta National among golfers seeking the coveted green jacket. The 2026 Masters has been no exception.
Sergio GarcĂa started Sunday's final round with a bang â literally â when he took his anger out on the No. 2 tee box and destroyed his driver. He wasn't alone this weekend, though, with players (or invitees) losing their cool with one-finger salutes, ejections, or just brutal holes.
Check out the four most notable times golfers went insane at Augusta National in 2026:
Azaleas are blooming, pine trees are standing tall and the dogwoods are flowering. The 90th Masters Tournament is set to begin at the Augusta National Golf Club. See one image from each hole of the fabled course. Tiger Woods watches his approach shot on the first hole, named Tea Olive, during the third round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. The par-4, 445-yard hole has a slight dogleg right that plays uphill.
Pink Dogwood is a par-5, 575-yard hole that's No. 2 at Augusta National. Jon Rahm plays his shot from the pine straw on the second hole during the final round of The Masters golf tournament in 2023.
Sungjae Im plays from the fairway on the third green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in 2025. The third hole, called Flowering Peach, is a classic short par-4 at 350 yards. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Matt McCarty plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament. Flowering Crab Apple is a Par 3, 240 yards.
The fifth hole, called Magnolia at Augusta National Golf Club, is a par-4 at 455 yards. Max Homa plays from the pine straw on the fifth green during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
The par-3 sixth hole, called Juniper for the native evergreen trees, has an elevated tee and it 180 yards. Here Jason Day plays his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
Pampas, the seventh hole at Augusta National, is a par-4 of 450 yards. There are three bunkers placed in front of the green and two behind that Tiger Woods and Kevin Kisner are approaching in 2022.
Viktor Hovland plays out of the bunker during the second round of the Masters Tournament in 2025. The par-5 eighth, called Yellow Jasmine, is 570 yards and has a fairway bunker on the right.
Patrons look on as Rory McIlroy makes a putt on the ninth green in 2025.The ninth hole, called Carolina Cherry, at Augusta National Golf Club is known for its green that slopes from back to front
A general view of the tenth hole, called "Camellia," the par-4, 495-yard hole features a 60-yard bunker short of the green.
The start of Amen Corner is the No. 11, par-4, 505-yard White Dogwood hole, with the green seen at left. You can also see the Hogan Bridge, center, to the 12th green.
No. 12 is the shortest par-3 at Augusta National at 155 yards. Called the Golden Bell, the hole has a narrow green and Rae's Creek to the side, which Scottie Scheffler is jumping over in 2024.
Aldrich Potgieter putts on the 13th green during a practice round for the 2026 Masters Tournament. Called Azalea, it's a par-5, 510-yard hole with the Byron Nelson Bridge located just off the tee.
Brandon Holtz tees off on the 14th hole during a practice round in 2026. The 14th hole, called Chinese Fir, is a 440-yard, par-4. It's bunkerless with a terraced putting surface that drops off.
The 15th at Augusta National is a reachable (for the best golfers in the world) par-5 of 530 yards. Matt McCarty plays from the fairway on the 15th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament in 2025.
Rory McIlroy and Corey Conners walk up no. 16 during the third round of the Masters Tournament in 2025. Called Redbud, the Par 3 hole plays at 170 yards.
Patrons watch from the fairway on Nandina, the Par 4, 440 yards, 17th hole.
Sam Bennett tees off on the 18th hole during the third round of The Masters in 2023. An uphill dogleg right, the final hole called Holly is a par-4 of 465 yards.
1 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Azaleas are blooming, pine trees are standing tall and the dogwoods are flowering. The 90th Masters Tournament is set to begin at the Augusta National Golf Club. See one image from each hole of the fabled course. Tiger Woods watches his approach shot on the first hole, named Tea Olive, during the third round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. The par-4, 445-yard hole has a slight dogleg right that plays uphill.
1 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Azaleas are blooming, pine trees are standing tall and the dogwoods are flowering. The 90th Masters Tournament is set to begin at the Augusta National Golf Club. See one image from each hole of the fabled course. Tiger Woods watches his approach shot on the first hole, named Tea Olive, during the third round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. The par-4, 445-yard hole has a slight dogleg right that plays uphill.
2 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Pink Dogwood is a par-5, 575-yard hole that's No. 2 at Augusta National. Jon Rahm plays his shot from the pine straw on the second hole during the final round of The Masters golf tournament in 2023.
3 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Sungjae Im plays from the fairway on the third green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in 2025. The third hole, called Flowering Peach, is a classic short par-4 at 350 yards. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
4 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Matt McCarty plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament. Flowering Crab Apple is a Par 3, 240 yards.
5 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
The fifth hole, called Magnolia at Augusta National Golf Club, is a par-4 at 455 yards. Max Homa plays from the pine straw on the fifth green during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
6 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
The par-3 sixth hole, called Juniper for the native evergreen trees, has an elevated tee and it 180 yards. Here Jason Day plays his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
7 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Pampas, the seventh hole at Augusta National, is a par-4 of 450 yards. There are three bunkers placed in front of the green and two behind that Tiger Woods and Kevin Kisner are approaching in 2022.
8 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Viktor Hovland plays out of the bunker during the second round of the Masters Tournament in 2025. The par-5 eighth, called Yellow Jasmine, is 570 yards and has a fairway bunker on the right.
9 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Patrons look on as Rory McIlroy makes a putt on the ninth green in 2025.The ninth hole, called Carolina Cherry, at Augusta National Golf Club is known for its green that slopes from back to front
10 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
A general view of the tenth hole, called "Camellia," the par-4, 495-yard hole features a 60-yard bunker short of the green.
11 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
The start of Amen Corner is the No. 11, par-4, 505-yard White Dogwood hole, with the green seen at left. You can also see the Hogan Bridge, center, to the 12th green.
12 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
No. 12 is the shortest par-3 at Augusta National at 155 yards. Called the Golden Bell, the hole has a narrow green and Rae's Creek to the side, which Scottie Scheffler is jumping over in 2024.
13 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Aldrich Potgieter putts on the 13th green during a practice round for the 2026 Masters Tournament. Called Azalea, it's a par-5, 510-yard hole with the Byron Nelson Bridge located just off the tee.
14 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Brandon Holtz tees off on the 14th hole during a practice round in 2026. The 14th hole, called Chinese Fir, is a 440-yard, par-4. It's bunkerless with a terraced putting surface that drops off.
15 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
The 15th at Augusta National is a reachable (for the best golfers in the world) par-5 of 530 yards. Matt McCarty plays from the fairway on the 15th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament in 2025.
16 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Rory McIlroy and Corey Conners walk up no. 16 during the third round of the Masters Tournament in 2025. Called Redbud, the Par 3 hole plays at 170 yards.
17 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Patrons watch from the fairway on Nandina, the Par 4, 440 yards, 17th hole.
18 / 18
One photo from every hole at iconic Augusta National, home of Masters
Sam Bennett tees off on the 18th hole during the third round of The Masters in 2023. An uphill dogleg right, the final hole called Holly is a par-4 of 465 yards.
Sergio GarcĂa's final round meltdown
GarcĂa made Masters history as the first golfer to ever be given a code-of-conduct warning during the competition. The 2017 Masters champion was visibly frustrated when his first shot off the tee on Sunday went wide right before bogeying the first hole.
GarcĂa then lost it when his drive to start No. 2 went straight into the bunker, and he took it out by slamming his driver into the turf twice. He walked to the back of the tee box and swung his driver at a cooler, which snapped its head off the shaft. GarcĂa lightened the mood shortly after, carrying fellow countryman John Rahm's clubs down the fairway.
Robert MacIntryre flipping the bird
The meltdowns at Augusta National this year started with a bang when MacIntyre let out his frustrations in a more symbolic manner.
MacIntyre struggled throughout Thursday's first round with bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes and a double bogey on No. 9, but it was his approach shot on No. 15 that landed on the green and rolled into the water that sent him over the edge.
MacIntyre raised his middle finger toward the green, and was reportedly later reprimanded for using foul language on the 12th and 13th holes.
Mark Calcavecchia and the phone rule
The Masters' long-standing no-phone policy applies to the golfers, too. Their website clearly states that anyone caught using their phones is subject to removal, and the 13-time PGA Tour winner Calcavecchia found out the hard way when he was booted from Augusta National during Wednesday's final practice round.
Calcavecchia was at Augusta National as an "honorary invitee," a recognition reserved for winners of menâs golfâs other three majors after being exempt for five years into the Masters.
When Golfweek, part if the USA TODAY Sports Network, tried to reach him for comment, Calcavecchia said, "Iâve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now."
Bryson Dechambeauâs triple-bogey on 18 during Round 2
DeChambeau had a rough first round on Thursday, but four birdies in the second round on Friday put him in contention to make the cut. That is until it all went up in smoke on the 18th hole.
A triple-bogey 7 on the par-4 hole sunk DeChambeau to 6 over for the tournament, below the 4 over cutline. A disappointing end for a disappointing run from the LIV Golf stable.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 Masters moments that drove golfers crazy at Augusta National
Q&A
What caused Sergio GarcĂa to damage his driver at the 2026 Masters?
Sergio GarcĂa damaged his driver out of frustration during the final round at Augusta National.
What were the notable incidents involving players at the 2026 Masters?
Notable incidents included players displaying anger, one-finger salutes, and some being ejected from the tournament.
How did emotions affect the players at the 2026 Masters?
Emotions ran high among players at the 2026 Masters, leading to outbursts and aggressive behavior on the course.
What is the significance of the green jacket at the Masters Tournament?
The green jacket is awarded to the winner of the Masters Tournament, symbolizing prestige and success in professional golf.
