A major champion's Masters dreams are shattered by Augusta's strict no-phone policy. Security escorts a past Open winner off the hallowed grounds.
Augusta National has its ways - old-fashioned, to some. For instance, its no-phone policy? Antiquated, some say?
The Masters disagrees. Strongly.
According to Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, 1989 Open champion Mark Calcavecchia was removed from the club on Tuesday for using his phone on Augusta property.
While as of this writing the tournament has not confirmed the move, Calcavecchia did decline to offer details on the incident ... but he also didn’t deny he was guided away by security.
“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” Calcavecchia said to Golfweek ...
In a comment obviously made over the phone.
Fans and media have often been found in violation of Augusta's traditional rules and have been removed for using their phones.
Now, as to the tournament itself?
The 2026 Masters has arrived, and with Augusta National expected to play fast and firm, the first major of the year is shaping up as a test that should reward the game’s best ball-strikers.
With dry conditions, limited rain and a course that traditionally exposes weak iron play, the path to the green jacket looks especially narrow.
That’s why the usual heavyweights are again front and center.
Scottie Scheffler enters as one of the clear names to watch, while Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Ludvig Åberg all bring the kind of form and skill set that tends to translate at Augusta.
Åberg remains one of the most fascinating contenders in the field. He finished runner-up in his Masters debut in 2024 and followed it with another top-10 finish in 2025, a rare early Augusta résumé for a young star.
He’s also been trending in the right direction, posting high finishes in recent starts and continuing to show the complete game needed on a course that demands creativity and discipline.
The statistical profile for Augusta remains fairly consistent.
The par 5s are where contenders create separation, and approach play continues to be one of the strongest indicators of who can actually win here.
Recent Masters champions have generally excelled with their irons during the week, even if they didn’t light it up on the greens.
Bryson DeChambeau is another player worth tracking, especially early.
His history of opening with aggressive rounds at Augusta makes him an intriguing first-round play, particularly with a favorable morning tee time.
At the Masters, data matters, but so does experience. And once again, Augusta seems likely to reward the players who bring both. ... as long as they don't also bring their phones.