The Masters: Former Open champion kicked out of Augusta National for breaking rule

Former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia was booted out of Augusta National after breaking a well-known policy, according to a report. 

Golfweek are reporting the 1989 winner of the claret jug was caught using his mobile phone on Tuesday and asked to leave The Masters venue. 

Augusta National Golf Club has banned the use of cell phones and other electronic devices on the course for patrons for virtually as long as the club has existed. 

The club opened in 1933, and its strict prohibition on mobile phones has been part of its longstanding commitment to tradition and a distraction‑free environment.

Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was among those to highlight how peaceful the rule makes his practice rounds ahead of the first men's major of the year during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. 

“There are no people asking for selfies in the middle of the round," the world number one said. 

"It's very calm out there, and people follow the rules here. For us as players, it's really an enjoyable experience."

Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, who is also among the 91-man field, echoed the American's sentiments. 

Augusta National provides courtesy landline phones around the course for patrons who need to make essential calls.

Calcavecchia was reached by phone by reporter Adam Schupak and the golfer replied: "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."

Augusta National Golf Club have not responded to request for comment. 

Calcavecchia was at Augusta National this week as an "honorary invitee" to the major courtesy of his triumph at Royal Troon. 

He was not in the field. 

During his playing days, the American, now 65, made 18 Masters appearances, with his best result a runner-up finish in 1988.

He is not the first person to have fallen foul of the rule. 

Former US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley previously revealed his sister was nearly kicked out of Augusta after getting caught using her phone. 

"They were going to kick her out and she cried, and they let her put her phone in a safe and stay," Bradley said.

There has also been unsubstantiated reports that Patrick Reed's wife, Justine, was also caught using hers. 

What are the rules of Augusta National Golf Club?

Augusta National Golf Club is famously secretive and traditional, but over the years, several rules for patrons, players, and members have become widely known. 

For patrons attending The Masters, they are not allowed to use phones, bring outside food or drinks and must adhere to the dress code. 

Certain areas of the club are off-limits and no running is permitted. Elsewhere, large bags are prohibited. Even strollers aren't allowed. 

Membership to Augusta National Golf Club is by invitation only. The full membership list of Augusta National Golf Club is kept private. 

Also kept confidential is how much it costs to be a member.  Yearly dues reported to be around $10,000–$20,000 and an initiation fee of $40,000-$50,000. 

Will Augusta National Golf Club change their mind on mobile phone usage?

Unlikely. 

Former chairman, Billy Payne, told reporters in 2017 that he didn't consider lifting the ban appropriate. 

"The noise is an irritation to not only the players – the dialling, the conversation," he said. "It's a distraction and that's the way we've chosen to deal with it."

Current chairman, Fred Ridley, doubled down on the position in 2019. 

"I know that we have now become an outlier, if not the only outlier in golf," he said. 

"[But] I think our patrons appreciate our cell phone policy. I don't believe that's a policy that anyone should expect is going to change in the near future, if ever."