5 takeaways from Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley's news conference

It's essentially the Masters "State of the Union" and it always produces a flurry of topics. Fred Ridley's annual media session on the Wednesday before the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club generates a wide range of discussion points. This year, those included the tournament itself, Tiger Woods, the PGA Tour, amateurs and the rollback of the golf ball.

Ridley, the 1975 U.S. Amateur champion, has been chairman of the club since 2017. Here's a look at the top talking points from his 2026 news conference.

Michael Greller and Jordan Spieth look at their yardage book at the fourth tee during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Alex Ritthamel, caddie for Ben Griffin, looks at Rae’s Creek along the 13th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Max Homa looks down the 14th fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Ben Griffin putts on the 10th green during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Patrons move about the course during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Ben Griffin tees off on the 14th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy putt on the 16th green during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Jacob Bridgeman hits out of a bunker on the 10th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Fred Couples talks with his caddie, Mark Chaney, during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Jon Rahm hits balls at the practice facility during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

A patron wears an Amen Corner hat as he walks to the practice facility during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Ethan Fang skips the ball on the water at the 16th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

John Keefer tees off on the 16th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Justin Thomas hits from the fairway on the ninth hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Patrons watch golfers on the second hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Apr 8, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; A detail view of Michael Brennan taking off his gloves after teeing off on the third hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Apr 8, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jose Maria Olazabal plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Michael Greller and Jordan Spieth look at their yardage book at the fourth tee during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Michael Greller and Jordan Spieth look at their yardage book at the fourth tee during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Alex Ritthamel, caddie for Ben Griffin, looks at Rae’s Creek along the 13th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Max Homa looks down the 14th fairway during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Ben Griffin putts on the 10th green during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Patrons move about the course during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Ben Griffin tees off on the 14th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy putt on the 16th green during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Jacob Bridgeman hits out of a bunker on the 10th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Fred Couples talks with his caddie, Mark Chaney, during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Jon Rahm hits balls at the practice facility during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

A patron wears an Amen Corner hat as he walks to the practice facility during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Ethan Fang skips the ball on the water at the 16th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

John Keefer tees off on the 16th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Justin Thomas hits from the fairway on the ninth hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Patrons watch golfers on the second hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Apr 8, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; A detail view of Michael Brennan taking off his gloves after teeing off on the third hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Photos: Masters photos from Augusta National on Wednesday

Apr 8, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Jose Maria Olazabal plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Fred Ridley, Masters standing behind Tiger Woods

Ridley kept his comments about Tiger Woods and the five-time Masters champion's personal issues brief. Ridley credited and thanked Woods for his involvement in The Loop at The Patch, a 9-hole short course designed by Woods and TGR Design. Ridley then repeated the statement released by the Masters four days after Woods' March 27 accident and arrest on DUI charges.

— Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post

Augusta National chairman supports golf ball distance regulation

Ridley reiterated his support of the efforts of golf’s governing bodies to regulate the distance elite players are hitting the golf ball saying, “My feeling on this subject is failure's not an option. I think we need to continue to work together to come to some agreement.”

The USGA and R&A announced in late March that it is proposing that the rule, which was formalized in late 2023, not go into effect until 2030. The rule involves the Overall Distance Standard test and would raise the test speed from the current 120 mph to 125. The original plan involved a staggered start that would only affect elite golf in 2028 before applying to all golfers in 2030. The governing bodies announced in January that they were seeking input on whether the rollback would be better if it were set at a single date, which would be Jan. 1, 2030.

“Recognizing that the implementation of the Overall Distance Standard test for golf balls may be delayed to 2030, I want to reemphasize that support and affirm our position as the USGA and R&A represent their collective obligation as custodians of the game,” Ridley said in his opening remarks. “I also want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course."

— Adam Schupak, Golfweek

Masters tradition tested as top amateurs bypass Augusta

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley, who competed in the Masters as an amateur 50 years ago, had a fondness for the amateur spirit that is alive and well each year on the hallowed grounds, and he was asked what he thought about the uptick of amateurs turning down exemptions.

— Cameron Jourdan, Golfweek

Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament Fred S. Ridley speaks to members of the media in a press conference prior to the start of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Ridley: Growth of ANWA was 'beyond my expectations'

"It's certainly gratifying, both with regard to the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the following day with the kids, how many of our current players really are very engaged with what's going on there," he said Wednesday.

Ridley then said something that likely surprised those in the room, and around the world, who follow amateur golf closely.

"I don't think I really imagined exactly how the Augusta National Women's Amateur was going to progress and grow," he said. "I'm not going to say it was beyond my wildest dreams, but it might have been beyond my expectations for this short of a period of time."

— Cameron Jourdan, Golfweek

Masters chairman had 'positive' talks with PGA Tour CEO

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley met with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp recently but said during his annual news conference on the eve of the Masters Tournament that there is an entire golf "ecosystem" that feeds major championship dreams, beginning with junior golf, and the PGA Tour one part of it. This was in response to Rolapp's news conference on March 11 at the Tour's Global Home that the Tour doesn't own or operate any of golf's four major championships, despite supplying most of the talent that has elevated those events.

— Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Augusta's Fred Ridley on Tiger Woods, PGA Tour, ANWA, Masters tradition