MASTERS 2026
Augusta National’s
dog box Gary and Wayne Player among people who have “offended” the club. BY ALEX MYERS
Augusta National is known for having rules to ad- here to, whether you're a fan
patron, media member or even one of the best golfers on the planet. I found this out firsthand during my first Mas- ters when I was scolded for not sitting up enough. Yep, seriously. Others, however, haven't been as for- tunate when running afoul of Augusta National (especially when actual run- ning is involved). Tiger Woods received a public scolding by the club's chairman in 2010 when he made his return from a sex scandal. Even though that had noth- ing to do with Augusta National. Another past champ, Angel Cabrera, missed five consecutive Masters due to legal issues. Cabrera spent 2½ years in jail after being convicted of assaulting a former partner. After his release from prison in August 2023, current ANGC chairman Fred Ridley said the 2009 winner would be welcome to come back but only if and when he straightened out issues pertaining to his visa to get into the United States. Cabrera played last year. For the purpose of this list, we're sticking to infamous infractions against some of the club's strict policies – and the punishments doled out. It should be noted that troublemak- ers can turn into trailblazers at Augus- ta. Ken Green initially received angry letters from the club both for having his kids caddie for him at the Par 3 and for skipping a tee shot across the pond at 16 during a practice round. Those former "crimes" are now beloved traditions. But we'd advise abiding by the rules if you go there.
GARY PLAYER The crime: Forgetting to return his green jacket The punishment: A stern call from Cliff Roberts
The backstory: After losing to Arnold Palmer in a playoff in 1962 in his first title defence at the Masters, Player took his green jacket back to South Africa. When Cliff Roberts called to inform him that only the current champ is allowed to do that, Player says he told Roberts, "Why don't you come and fetch it?" Bold! The two wound up compromising with Player promising to put a plastic cover over the special garment and to not wear it again until returning to Augusta National for the 1963 tournament. Good thing he was allowed back on the premises, be- cause he wound up winning a couple more times.
JACK WHITAKER The crime: Calling the gallery on 18 a "mob" The punishment: Stopped covering the Mas- ters for CBS The backstory: The legendary announcer was removed from CBS' coverage ahead of the 1966 tournament after using that nasty "M"-word the previous year and for failing to mention that the green jacket ceremony would be held after the final round. “It looked like a mob of people scurrying towards the green, but Mr Roberts took offence,” he told the Associated
Press in 1979. “He said the gallery at the Masters was not a mob. And that was that.” Again, you did not want to get on Mr Roberts' bad side. Even someone who looks as intimidating as Mr Whitaker in that photo.
ALAN SHIPNUCK The crime: Crashing the green jacket ceremony The punishment: One-year ban from covering the tournament
The backstory: The veteran golf writer has never been afraid to mix it up to track down a good story. That includes crashing the green jacket after party fol- lowing Bubba Watson’s win in 2012. Shipnuck entered Butler Cabin with mem- bers of Watson's inner-circle but was eventually removed (no media is allowed – other than CBS, of course). He was banned from covering the tournament the following year but has since been allowed back. With a security guard following his every move. Kidding. We think.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 67
MARCH/APRIL 2026
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