Man arrested after attempting to sneak into Augusta National before The Masters

A South Carolina man was arrested on Monday after attempting to gain access to Augusta National ahead of the 2026 Masters without a valid badge.

According to a report from the Augusta Press, the 36-year-old from Easley was charged with criminal trespassing after allegedly approaching patrons leaving the course and asking them for their Masters badges.

Authorities said the man was targeting spectators along Washington Road, requesting their physical tickets in an apparent attempt to exploit re-entry privileges and gain access to the grounds.

Augusta National has increasingly tightened its policies around badge usage in recent years, amid a surge in resale prices on secondary markets, where tickets for tournament days can reach thousands — and in some cases, tens of thousands — of dollars. As a result, any attempt to bypass official channels is treated seriously by local law enforcement.

Deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office reportedly instructed the man, identified as Matthew Stroud, to leave the area. However, he later returned, leading to his arrest. He was subsequently transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Centre and later released on a $285 bond.

The incident comes just days before the Masters Tournament gets underway on Thursday, with the world’s best players descending on Augusta National for the first major of the season.

Scottie Scheffler heads into the week as a red-hot 6/1 favourite, bidding to secure a third green jacket in five years and further cement his dominance at Augusta. The world number one arrived on Monday and confirmed the recent birth of his second child, Remy, who is on site with his older brother Bennett and mum Meredith. 

Rory McIlroy will once again be under the spotlight as he looks to complete the career Grand Slam and become the first player since 2002 to successfully defend the Masters title. McIlroy is also hosting the Masters Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday evening. 

Other contenders near the top of the betting market include LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau, who arrives in strong form after back-to-back victories, and Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion with a proven pedigree at Augusta.

Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Åberg are also being widely tipped as potential first-time winners, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a compelling week at Augusta National.