AUGUSTA, Ga. ? The 2026 Masters opened with Rory McIlroy carrying a different status than he had for most of his career at Augusta National: defending champion instead of unfinished contender.

In its tournament preview, The Associated Press said McIlroy arrived without the familiar questions about whether he could ever win a green jacket after finally completing the career Grand Slam last year.

The composition of the field also looked different. AP's Masters coverage from April 6 noted that Tiger Woods was absent while seeking treatment after his DUI arrest, and that Phil Mickelson was also missing because of a family health issue.

Augusta National itself opened the week with fresh additions around the tournament. In a separate feature, AP reported on the club's new Player Services Building, a sign of how the Masters continues to update its infrastructure while preserving its tight traditions.

The result was a tournament opening that still carried the usual historical weight, but with a new balance of power around the champion and a field missing two of its most familiar names.