One of golf's four major championships, the Masters Tournament, has been held at Augusta National Golf Club every year since 1934. Originally known as the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament," the event changed its name to the Masters Tournament in 1939. The event takes place annually in April, though it was canceled during World War II from 1943 to 1945. Since 1949, the winner has been awarded the recognizable green jacket and is invited to compete for the rest of their life.
Clifford Roberts, an investment banker, and Bobby Jones, an amateur golfer, created the event by converting an old plant nursery in Augusta, Georgia, into one of the most prestigious golf courses, designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie. Further, every year, former winners gather for the Champions Dinner, which Ben Hogan hosted for the first time in 1952. The Par 3 Contest, a playful prelude to the event held since 1960, is another tradition. And the tournament begins with the past champion golfer hitting the honorary tee shot.
Rounds of the Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament has four rounds of 18 holes each, totaling 72. This is the traditional stroke play format, where the golfer with the fewest total strokes over all rounds wins. Every stroke counts, and the player with the lowest cumulative score wins.
After the first rounds, or after 36 holes, the field is cut to low 50 and tied for them to advance for the next 36 holes or third and fourth rounds. The one that doesn’t fall within the low 50 is bade farewell. According to the PGA Tour, the "cut" system was introduced in the format in 1957, more than two decades after the inception of the Masters Tournament.
Regardless, the cut was initially set at a low 40 and ties. This was altered in 1962 to low 44 and ties, along with anyone at the margin of 10 strokes from the leader. This was the only rule for 50 years, until 2013, when the cut became low 50 and ties, while the 10-stroke leader rule was removed in 2020.
Also read: What Isn't Allowed at the Masters?
FAQs on how many rounds are in the Masters Tournament?
A. There are four rounds at the Masters Tournament, with 18 holes each, totaling 72.
A. The Masters Tournament's rounds usually last four to five hours.
A. The Masters Tournament works in a stroke play format of 72 holes with four rounds of 18 holes each. There is a cut after 36 holes for low 50 and ties.
A. The 10-shot rule of the Masters Tournament was for the cut after 36 holes, that any golfer within the 10 strokes of the leader makes the cut. This rule was eliminated in 2020.
A. Yes, LIV golfers can play at the Masters Tournament if they fall within the criteria for invitation qualification.
