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April: The Greatest Month in Sports
If you are the type of person who enjoys watching talented human beings do extraordinary things under pressure, April 2026 is your month. The calendar is ridiculous. The NCAA Championship. The Masters. The Grand National. Jackie Robinson Day. The NHL and NBA playoffs. The Boston Marathon. The NFL Draft. And hovering on the horizon like a very well-dressed horse: the Kentucky Derby. No other month on the American sports calendar asks this much of you, and no other month delivers this consistently.
2026 NBA Playoffs — First Round
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic
The Pistons finished with the best record in the East at 60-22, and Cade Cunningham has taken his game to another level — he was an MVP candidate all season long, and Jalen Duren has evolved into a 20-10 machine who protects the paint at a high level. Detroit is battle-tested, winners of 15 of their final 19 games, and brings the best defense in the East into the postseason.
Orlando earned the 8-seed the hard way, clipping Charlotte 121-90 in the play-in before advancing. The Magic present a real defensive challenge and went 2-2 against Detroit in the regular season, but their offense ranked 24th in 3-pointers made and 18th in offensive rating — a tough combination against the Pistons' stifling defense. Former Memphis standout Desmond Bane is their most dangerous weapon, averaging 22.8 points in his regular-season outings against Detroit. This is Cunningham's first legitimate shot at a postseason run, and the Pistons are heavily favored to deliver.
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
This will be the 23rd postseason series between these two franchises — an NBA record. Boston won 56 games in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year following Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles, but Tatum returned healthy late in the season and is playing like himself again. Jaylen Brown anchors the defense, and the Celtics have emerged as one of the top rebounding teams in the league after a slow start in that category.
Philadelphia is dealing with a brutal injury situation. Joel Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy and is unlikely for most or all of the series, leaving Tyrese Maxey to carry the load. Maxey is a legitimate star — he averaged 30 points, 8.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds in four regular-season games against Boston — and rookie V.J. Edgecombe provides explosive backcourt energy. The Sixers went 2-2 against the Celtics this season, but all four of those games were played without Tatum. With him back in the lineup, Boston is a significant step up from what Philadelphia faced in the regular season.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
The Knicks enter as the clear favorite with Jalen Brunson averaging 26 points per game and Karl-Anthony Towns logging a league-leading 56 double-doubles during the regular season. Towns was a monster against Atlanta specifically, averaging 28.5 points and 13.5 rebounds on 63% shooting in two meetings. Brunson averaged 29.3 points and 7.8 assists against the Hawks. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson give New York one of the better defensive units in the conference.
Atlanta took a winding road to the playoffs, trading away Trae Young mid-season and rebuilding on the fly — then went 28-15 after the deal. Jalen Johnson has blossomed into an All-NBA-caliber threat and a nightly triple-double candidate. Nickeil Alexander-Walker emerged as a genuine lead guard, and CJ McCollum provides postseason experience off the bench. The Hawks ranked fifth in pace during the regular season to the Knicks' 25th, meaning Atlanta wants to run and New York wants to grind. New York went 2-1 against Atlanta but was actually outscored by 6 points across those three meetings, suggesting this series could be tighter than the seeding implies.
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
Cleveland is the clear favorite, led by Donovan Mitchell at 27.9 points per game and backed by the February acquisition of James Harden, who is averaging 20.5 points as a Cavalier. Evan Mobley anchors the interior on both ends, and the combination of Mitchell and Harden gives Cleveland two elite, veteran scoring options that no team in the East particularly wants to face in a seven-game series.
Toronto is in the playoffs for the first time in four years, earning the 5-seed on the final day of the regular season. The Raptors went 3-0 against Cleveland in the regular season, but all three wins came before the Harden trade, and Mitchell sat out one of them. Scottie Barnes has been a nightmare matchup for the Cavs — he put up 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 blocks in a November win — and Brandon Ingram averaged 22.7 points in his starts against Cleveland. Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. The Cavs Cleveland ices out tonight are a very different team than the one Toronto beat in November.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Phoenix Suns
The defending NBA champion Thunder finished with the best record in the league at 64-17 — dominant on both ends of the floor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists on 55.3% shooting, putting himself firmly in the MVP conversation. Jalen Williams provides elite secondary playmaking, Chet Holmgren anchors the interior, and Luguentz Dort is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. OKC held a 3-2 season-series edge over Phoenix and is rested and healthy entering the postseason.
Phoenix earned the 8-seed by beating Golden State in the play-in tournament. The Suns are an overachieving group with limited margin for error against a Thunder machine, but they showed enough in the play-in to suggest they won't simply roll over. The series figures to expose just how deep OKC's advantage runs, but the Suns have built confidence making it this far. For the Thunder, back-to-back titles would be a significant achievement for a franchise that won its first championship just a year ago.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers
The most anticipated individual matchup of the first round may be this one. Victor Wembanyama is making his playoff debut after leading the Spurs to a remarkable leap — from 34 wins last season to 62 this year. Wembanyama averaged 25.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks, and De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson give San Antonio a deep, versatile supporting cast. The Spurs won the regular-season series 2-1, and Wembanyama is the best rim protector in the game.
Portland earned the 7-seed by eliminating Phoenix in a thrilling play-in win, capped by Deni Avdija's 41-point, and-one performance to close it out. Avdija averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists this season — his first All-Star campaign — and averaged 32 points in his regular-season outings against San Antonio. The Blazers are a young, gritty team under acting coach Tiago Splitter, and their path to competing in the series runs directly through whether they can pull Wembanyama away from the basket and create driving lanes for Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe.
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
For the third time in four years, these two teams meet in the playoffs — and neither fan base is tired of it yet. Nikola Jokic led the league's best offense (121.2 offensive rating) by averaging 27.7 points while also leading the league in rebounds and assists. His pairing with Jamal Murray produced the most efficient two-man combination in the NBA this season. Denver won the regular-season series 3-1, with Jokic posting 35.8 points per game in those four meetings.
Minnesota enters with health questions. Anthony Edwards — who engineered the Timberwolves' stunning Game 7 comeback against Denver two years ago — is dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him late in the season and could limit him throughout the series. Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert provide interior toughness, and the Wolves' defense remains one of the better units in the conference. But a compromised Edwards against a fully healthy Jokic is a significant concern. The Timberwolves got revenge on Denver in 2024, and this rivalry has genuine playoff history — but right now, Denver appears to be the better team.
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets
The storyline writes itself: LeBron James in his 40s, facing Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, nearly 12 years after their first Finals meeting in 2014. LeBron averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season, and the Lakers finished 53-29 — but they head into the series without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both of whom are dealing with injuries that leave their status uncertain. Without that backcourt, the Lakers' scoring creation falls almost entirely on LeBron's shoulders.
Houston has quietly become one of the league's better teams. Durant averaged 26 points per game and anchors a deep, balanced roster that averaged a league-high 48.1 rebounds per game. The Rockets ended the regular season on a strong note, and as LeBron himself acknowledged ahead of Game 1, this is not just a one-man team. For the Lakers, the injury situation makes this series far more precarious than the seeding suggests.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — First Round Previews
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Buffalo Sabres (A1) vs. Boston Bruins (WC1)
The most emotionally charged series in the East opens in Buffalo, where the Sabres are making their first playoff appearance in 15 years after one of the great regular-season turnarounds in recent NHL history. Dead last in the Eastern Conference in December, Buffalo went 39-10-5 over the final stretch to win the Atlantic Division title with 109 points. Tage Thompson leads a deep, fast offense, and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen provides steady work in net. The Sabres have the home-ice advantage and a building that will be at a fever pitch from puck drop.
Boston returns to the playoffs for the ninth time in ten years, led by David Pastrnak — whose 100-point season was 32 points clear of any other Bruin. Charlie McAvoy anchors the defense, and Linus Ullmark holds the crease. The Bruins are road-tested but their 16-16-9 record away from TD Garden is a concern against a Buffalo team that has been one of the league's hottest for four months. The Sabres are favored, and the crowd alone could be the difference in a close game.
Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (A3)
A rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, and one of the most compelling series of the first round. Tampa Bay finished with 106 points, powered by Nikita Kucherov — who leads the league with 134 points — and backed by Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal, who remains one of the elite postseason goaltenders in the game. The Lightning are making their ninth consecutive playoff appearance and bring championship pedigree that few teams can match.
Montreal also finished with 106 points and won the season series against Tampa 2-1-1, including the final two meetings. Nick Suzuki posted 100 points, Cole Caufield scored 50 goals, and young goaltender Jakub Dobes posted a .920 save percentage. The Canadiens are fast, skilled and hungry — a very different team from the one that lost the 2021 Final in five games. This series is essentially a coin flip, and it may be the best hockey of the first round.
Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC2)
Carolina enters as the top seed in the East with 113 points and a forecheck-heavy identity that has made them one of the league's most consistent teams since 2019. Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis drive the offense, and the Hurricanes have won every first-round series they've played since the bubble in 2020 — a remarkable run of postseason consistency.
Ottawa quietly put together one of the better second halves in the East, going 15-8 after March 1, and Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson give the Senators enough firepower to make this dangerous. The key concern for Ottawa is goaltending — they finished the season with the second-worst save percentage in the NHL — and the Hurricanes' relentless forecheck is precisely the kind of system that exploits weak goaltending. Linus Ullmark's playoff history gives Ottawa some hope, but Carolina is the clear favorite.
Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
The Battle of Pennsylvania returns to the postseason for the first time since 2018, and it doesn't disappoint on paper. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are each entering their 16th postseason — a franchise record — and Crosby has more playoff goals against the Flyers than against any other team in the NHL. Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 and is deeper than at any point in recent seasons, with Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang anchoring the blue line and deadline additions Egor Chinakhov and Elmer Soderblom adding forward depth.
Philadelphia surprised most observers by finishing with 98 points, equal to Pittsburgh, and matching the Penguins record for record. Travis Konecny led the Flyers with 68 points and Dan Vladar was outstanding in net after the Olympic break, posting a .912 save percentage. Young forwards Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov and Tyson Foerster give the Flyers an energetic, hard-to-predict attack. The teams split the season series 2-2. This is a genuine toss-up — and potentially the most physical series of the first round.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Colorado Avalanche (C1/Presidents' Trophy) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC2)
Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team this season, led by Nathan MacKinnon's monster year — 53 goals and 127 points in 80 games, good for the Rocket Richard Trophy and a plus-56 rating. Cale Makar remains one of the best defensemen in the game, Martin Necas contributed 99 points, and Brock Nelson gives them a reliable second-line center. The Avalanche are the heavy Stanley Cup favorites and as formidable a first seed as the West has seen in years.
Los Angeles sneaked into the second wild-card spot on the final night of the regular season, edging out Anaheim on the regulation wins tiebreaker. The Kings are a defense-first team with playoff experience, and Leo Carlsson — who received Hart Trophy consideration before a January injury — returns as their most dynamic offensive weapon. The Avalanche are a massive favorite, but Kings coach Jim Hiller knows how to make series uncomfortable. Los Angeles won't go quietly.
Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)
Two well-matched Central Division rivals square off in what figures to be a grinding, physical series. Dallas is a balanced, experienced team capable of beating anyone on a given night, and they bring playoff-tested depth throughout the lineup. Quinn Hughes makes his first postseason appearance as a Wild player, and Minnesota represents something of a new identity for a franchise that has historically struggled to advance in the playoffs.
The Central Division finish was close, but Dallas holds home-ice advantage as the second seed. These teams are familiar with each other and neither has a glaring weakness. Expect a series defined by goaltending and special teams rather than high-scoring games.
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Utah Mammoth (WC1)
Vegas enters the playoffs with momentum, closing the regular season on a 7-0-1 run after John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy behind the bench in late March. The Golden Knights are a perennial contender, deep on both ends of the ice, and T-Mobile Arena remains one of the toughest buildings in the league to visit in the playoffs.
Utah is the NHL's newest franchise and is making its first-ever Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance after claiming the Western Conference's first wild-card spot. The Mammoth — formerly the Arizona Coyotes — have built a competitive team in short order, and this is a genuine milestone moment for the organization and its fan base. They are significant underdogs against a Vegas team that has been to the Final before, but first-time playoff teams have surprised favorites before. The hockey world will be watching to see how they handle the stage.
Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P3)
Connor McDavid wrapped up his sixth NHL scoring title with 134 points and enters the playoffs having twice taken the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final — losing to Florida both times. This is Edmonton's chance to finally break through, and with Leon Draisaitl alongside McDavid and Stuart Skinner in net, the Oilers remain one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the game.
Anaheim returns to the playoffs for the first time in several years after a successful rebuild under General Manager Pat Verbeek. The Ducks are young and fast, and Leo Carlsson's emergence as a top-line center gives them a player capable of making life difficult for any defense. The Oilers are heavy favorites and McDavid is hungrier than ever after two Final losses, but Anaheim is not here merely to participate — they believe they can compete.
Korir Lokedi Repeat, Win 130th Boston Marathon
Kenyans John Korir and Sharon Lokedi each prevailed as repeat winners in the Boston Marathon.
Korir followed up his 2025 title with another smashing performance, making a decisive move in Newton, leaving the rest of the pack in his dust.
He finished with a winning time of 2:01:52, setting a course record. Alphonce Felix Simbu of Tanzania (2:02:47) finished second and Benson Kipruto (2:02:50) of Kenya came in third. All three were faster than the previous course record.
Korir surged to the lead around the 20-mile mark approaching "Heartbreak Hill", similar to the winning move he made in 2025.
Fellow countrywoman, Sharon Lokedi, was also a repeat winner, breaking away from a cluster of women late in the race to win by an expanding margin in 2:18:51, slightly behind her record-setting time from last year.
An estimated 30,000 racers lined the course from Hopkinton to Boston for the 130th running of the world's oldest continuously run marathon.
The 130th running of the Boston Marathon takes place April 20, covering the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston Street that have been run every Patriots' Day since 1897. Roughly 30,000 runners will compete, watched by an estimated 500,000 spectators along the course. The hills of Newton, particularly the infamous Heartbreak Hill at mile 20, have broken more confident runners than any other stretch of pavement in the world.
130th Boston Marathon — April 20, 2026
The world's oldest annual marathon hits the roads of Massachusetts today for its 130th edition, with 30,000 runners from 137 countries making the journey from Hopkinton to Boylston Street on Patriots Day. The total prize purse stands at $1,484,500, and the elite fields are among the strongest in recent memory.
In the men's race, defending champion John Korir of Kenya returns looking to go back-to-back on a course he mastered in dramatic fashion a year ago — running without his bib number for a stretch after losing it on the course, then pulling away to win by 19 seconds. Since that victory Korir has added the Valencia Marathon and Chicago Marathon to his resume, clocking a career-best 2:02:24. His chief rival figures to be fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto, the fastest man in the field at 2:02:16, a four-time World Marathon Majors winner including Boston 2021 and New York City 2025, and an Olympic bronze medalist at Paris 2024. Ten men in the elite field have broken 2:05, making this one of the deepest men's fields in the race's history. Americans Galen Rupp, Clayton Young, Joe Klecker and Charles Hicks represent the home country's best hopes for a podium finish — something no American man has achieved at Boston since Shadrack Biwott in 2018.
The women's race revolves around Sharon Lokedi, who enters as the heavy favorite after setting a course record of 2:17:22 last year to claim her first Boston title. The Kenyan has evolved into one of the most tactically astute racers on the circuit and tuned up with a 67:10 half marathon in New York earlier this spring. The biggest development in the women's field is the absence of two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri, who opted for the London Marathon instead, opening the door for challengers. Irine Cheptai, who finished fourth last year, and Ethiopian Workenesh Edesa — fresh off a third-place finish at Osaka in January — are the most likely threats to Lokedi's title. On the American side, Emily Sisson, Sara Hall, Jessica McClain and Dakotah Popehn are all chasing what would be the first U.S. women's top-three finish at Boston since Jordan Hasay in 2019.
The race also carries a poignant note this year — Jack Fultz, winner of the famous 1976 "Run for the Hoses" edition, which was run in near triple-digit heat, serves as grand marshal for the 130th running, a half-century after his remarkable victory. The charity program, which began in 1989, has raised over $600 million since its inception, with 193 organizations participating in 2026.
The NFL Draft runs April 23-25, when 32 franchises spend three days either setting themselves up for future success or making decisions they will spend the next five years explaining. The first round on April 23 is the main event — seven rounds follow over the next two days. For NFL fans, the draft is its own sport, complete with analysts, mock drafts, and the annual discovery that the player everyone agreed was a certain top-five pick somehow falls to the 15th spot while everyone on television pretends to be surprised.
The Kentucky Derby runs May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville — the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, to be followed by the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York. The field for the 152nd Run for the Roses is still taking shape, but the Derby is always worth a preview — 20 three-year-olds running 1¼ miles in front of 150,000 people in hats. It is the most theatrical two minutes in American sports, and we will have full coverage in the May issue.
Monday, April 6, 2:10 pm ET 2026 NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Game line: Michigan -6.5, 146 Final Score: Michigan 69 Uconn 63 For all the hoopla, excitement and anticipation for a hotly-contested final, the match-up didn't quite live up to the hype. Elliot Cadeua led the Wolverines with 19 points. Alex Karaban scored 17 for the Huskies. Neither team shot well. Michigan hit at 31%, UConn at 38%. Michigan was horrible from beyond the arc, making just 2 of 15 (13%) while the Huskies knocked down 9 of 33 (27%). Michigan led almost the entire game, took control in the second half and built double digit leads a couple of times, but mostly led by six to nine points. The Huskies could not get any closer than four. There were no real heroes, no buzzer-beaters and the final score was one of the lowest of the season for both teams. Multiple players - in particular, Yaxel Lendeborg, who had one of his worst games of the season, going 4-for-13 (0-5 on 3s) with 13 points and two rebounds - either suffered from injury or fatigue. The main point is that Michigan ended a drought of national championships for the Big Ten since Michigan State won in 2000. That's a wrap for college hoops for this season. Pros take center stage on April 18 when the NBA playoffs begin. #1 Michigan (36-3) vs. #2 UConn (34-5) THE SETUP MICHIGAN — STRENGTHS & KEY PLAYERS UCONN — STRENGTHS & KEY PLAYERS STATISTICAL COMPARISON THREE-POINT SHOOTING FREE THROWS COACHING THE KEY FACTORS PREDICTION Claude AI PREDICTED SCORE: Michigan 78, UConn 71 Coin Flip: Michigan Fearless Rick’s Pick: Wolverines 84 Huskies 72 Sources:
Saturday, April 4, 10:40 am ET The Final Four takes place April 4 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the national championship following on April 6. As this issue goes to press, the semifinal matchups pit Illinois/UConn against Michigan/Arizona. By the time you read this, two of those programs will be packing their bags and two will be forty minutes from a national title. The full bracket and results are at NCAA.com. What this tournament has delivered already is the annual reminder that college basketball in March and April is simply the most compelling team sport in America. Nothing else produces gut-punch upsets, buzzer-beaters, overnight heroes, and heartbreak on quite the same scale. Tennessee got creamed by Michigan, in case you were wondering. Your assistant publisher declines to comment further on this development. 2026 NCAA FINAL FOUR ANALYSIS Editor's Notes: To be perfectly honest, I'm going with Illinois and Arizona, but, judging by my record over the last 44 years of picking NFL, NCAA hoops and football, and far too many horse races, I may be wrong. I decided to let Claude AI do the analysis because he's more accurate and faster. He did note that the oddsmakers are also using AI and very advanced modeling to make the lines. Both games figure to be close, and 1 1/2 points isn't probably a factor. I did figure on the Illinois-UConn game to go under and the Arizona-Michigan game over. Good luck. --Fearless Rick GAME 1: #3 Illinois (28-8) vs. #2 UConn (33-5) — 6:09 PM ET Game Line: Illinois -1.5, 139.5 THE RECORDS & CONTEXT SCORING KEY PLAYERS — ILLINOIS KEY PLAYERS — UCONN REBOUNDING THREE-POINT SHOOTING FREE THROWS COACHING THE KEY FACTOR Claude AI PREDICTED SCORE: Illinois 72, UConn 68 Coin Flip: Illinois Fearless Rick’s Pick: Fighting Illini 66 Huskies 61 GAME 2: #1 Michigan (35-3) vs. #1 Arizona (36-2) — 8:49 PM ET THE RECORDS & CONTEXT SCORING KEY PLAYERS — MICHIGAN KEY PLAYERS — ARIZONA HEIGHT ADVANTAGE THREE-POINT SHOOTING FREE THROWS REBOUNDING COACHING THE KEY FACTOR Claude AI PREDICTED SCORE: Michigan 81, Arizona 76 Coin Flip: Arizona Fearless Rick’s Pick: Wildcats 83 Wolverines 80 Claude AI BOTTOM LINE Sources:
Masters, Final Round
Update, Saturday, April 12, 7:07 pm ET
Rory McIlroy overcame a double-bogey on the 4th hole to capture his second straight Masters championship, enduring multiple challenges on a gritty final nine holes, coming in at 276, one stroke better than Scottie Scheffler.
When the final group of Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young finished from front nine, Justine Rose was -12, but pulled his second shot on 11 to the left, leading McIlroy by one stroke (-11) and Young (-10) by two.
Tyrrrell Hatton was two back at -10, but was out of time, playing the 18th. Scottie Scheffler, shuffling along as he had a various times during the weekend, was at -9 through 12 along with Russell Henley.
Rose had surged to the lead with five birdies on the front nine and appeared to be in the zone, but dropped a shot on 11, falling into a tie with McIlroy. Henley birdied #13 to draw to within a shot of the lead.
Amen Corner - holes 11, 12, and 13, was dealing its usual dose of pain and promise and the tournament seemed destined to be decided on the final holes.
Rose missed the green long on the par three 12th, chunked his second shot and remained in the rough behind the green. Rose made a troubled four on #12, and McIlroy had regained the lead. Hatton finished -10, the leader in the clubhouse with a final round 66, but with faint hope.
McIlroy knocked down a testy 8-footer for his par at 11, holding a one shot lead over four pursuers, including Young, who also parred the 11th.
On the 12th, McIroy made what may have been the shot of the tournament, leaving himself six feet from a birdie on the most treacherous par three in the world, cashing in with a birdie and a two-stroke lead after Young made par. McIloroy’s birdie was just the third of the day on #12.
Just afterward, Justin Rose left an eagle putt on 13 well past the hole, missed the comeback for a par, McIlroy’s two-shot lead intact.
Meanwhile, Collin Morikawa, birdied 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 to get to minus 9, tied with Scheffler in fifth place with a par on 16. Through 14, Scheffler had made 11 straight pars, failing to make up ground on the leaders. Morikawa parred 16, 17, and 18, to finish at -9.
On the par 5, 13, McIlroy, who had missed the fairway right the previous three round, smashed a perfect drive 350 yards to the left-hand side of the fairway, but both he and Young overshot the green, but left themselves with birdie opportunities.
Sheffler birdied the 15th to tie for second at -10, but Mcilroy birdied 13 as Young parred, his lead growing to three shots at -13. With five holes remaining, McIlroy could taste his second straight Masters’ victory.
Scheffler’s birdie at 16 kept him in the hunt, alone in second at -11. Moments later, Rose joined him with a birdie at 15, but they both trailed McIlroy by two strokes after Rory parred 14. Young also parred 14, but found himself three behind his playing partner for the day.
Henley finished at -10 after a solid run.
Scheffler made a brilliant second shot at 17, which had yielded no birdies all day, leaving himself a 16-foot putt. Scheffler’s birdie putt grazed the left side of the cup, staying out, the 17th remaining unbeatable on the day.
McIlroy survived a scare at 15, carding a par-5 after barely breaching the water in front, two-putting for a tap-in par. Young
While Young and McIlroy played 15, Russell Henley, all but forgotten, sank a 60+ foot putt to draw to -10, but still three strokes back.
McIlroy overshot the green on the par-three 16, leaving himself a 50-foot up-and-down. Young gave himself a chance, landing his tee-shot 15 feet below the hole. Once again, Rory showed the brilliance of a champion, putting from off the green to within a foot for the tap-in par. Young’s birdie attempt rimmed out, remaining three shots back at -10.
Scheffler parred 17 and 18, finishing at -11, the clubhouse leader, having finished the final two rounds without a bogey. Rose bogeyed 17, dropping a shot, all but extinguishing his hopes at -10.
Knowing he needed to finish with a par and bogey to capture his second straight Masters, McIlroy knocked his tee shot on 17 stiff down the middle of the fairway, but missed the green to the right. Undeterred, McIlroy chipped to winning 18 inches, tapping in for the par. Young had a birdie attempt from 18 feet, but left it short, the 17th yielding no birdies on the final round.
Meanwhile, Justin Rose parred 18, finishing at -10, in third place. Rose has played well over the years, three times a runner-up, but never a champion.
On 18, McIlroy sliced his tee shot far into the pines to the right of the fairway. Young hooked into the trees on the left. With the final group coming home, the 18th fairway was a vacant space.
Surveying the situation, McIlroy chose to circumvent the remaining pines, launching an 8-iron over a large tree, probably an oak, leaving himself in a front left bunker and three shots for the tournament victory. Young’s shot was errant as well, further off the green to the left and out of contention for certain.
McIlroy safely punched the sand shot onto the green 14 feet and two putts away from a second straight trip to Butler Cabin. McIlroy lagged to within four inches of the cup, awaiting Young to knock in his 15-footer for a share of third, before tapping in for the win at -12, 276 for the tournament.
While it may not have been pretty, McIlroy’s tour through 72 holes at Augusta was effective, winning by a stroke over Scottie Scheffler and two better than Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Henley, and Cameron Young.
McIlory joins Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back Masters’ champions.
Masters, Day 3
Update, Saturday, April 11, 7:25 pm ET
McIlroy Gives Up Lead, Regains It, Finishes Tied with Cameron Young at -11
There was no lack of excitement on “moving day” at the Masters as Rory McIlroy saw his daunting 6-shot lead gradually dwindle throughout the day over the course of the third day.
The world’s top-ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler, carded a 65, as did Cameron Young, who briefly held the lead on the back nine as McIlroy shuffled through a 1-over round of 73. After relinquishing the lead with a double bogey six on the 11th and a bogey on 12, McIlroy recovered with birdies on 14 and 15 for a one-shot lead. A bogey on 17 and a par on 18 left him tied with Young, who was already in the clubhouse.
Scheffler’s early 65 moved him from even par for the tournament to -7, four shots back by the end of the day. McIlroy’s playing partner, Sam Burns, came in with a bogey-free round of 68, finishing alone in 3rd place. Shane Lowry aced the par-3 sixth hole, becoming the only player in Masters’ history to have two holes-in-one in Masters’ play on his way to a 68 and 4th place at -9
Jason Day tied for fifth place with a 68 and is three shots back at -8 with Justin Rose (69).
The trio of Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henly, and Patrick Reed are tied for ninth at -6, leaving the top of the leaderboard with 11 players within five shots of the lead.
Scheffler will play Sunday with Haotong Li, in the fourth-from-last group, both at -7. The final pairing will be McIlroy and Young; 2nd last, Burns and Lowry, 3rd last, Day and Rose.
Sunday’s forecast is for another picture-perfect day with sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s and 80s and no chance of rain. The final round at Augusta figures to be an exciting one.
NBA Playoffs: April 18
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. ET — Little Caesars Arena, Detroit — NBC
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET — TD Garden, Boston — ABC
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m. ET — Madison Square Garden, New York — Amazon Prime
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. ET — Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland — Amazon Prime
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET — Paycom Center, Oklahoma City — ABC
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m. ET — Frost Bank Center, San Antonio — NBC
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 3:30 p.m. ET — Ball Arena, Denver — Amazon Prime
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m. ET — Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles — ABC
NHL Playoffs: April 18
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. ET — KeyBank Center, Buffalo — ESPN
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 5:45 p.m. ET — Amalie Arena, Tampa — TNT
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 3 p.m. ET — PNC Arena, Raleigh — ESPN
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m. ET — PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh — ESPN
Game 1: Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m. ET — Ball Arena, Denver — TNT
Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. ET — American Airlines Center, Dallas — ESPN
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 10 p.m. ET — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas — TNT
Game 1: Monday, April 20, 10 p.m. ET — Rogers Place, Edmonton — ESPN
Boston Marathon: April 20
NFL Draft: April 23-25
Looking Ahead: Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown
NCAA Basketball: One Last Dance
Monday, April 6 — Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis — 8:50 PM ET on TBS
This is as good a championship matchup as college basketball can produce. Michigan is making its first title game appearance since 2018 and chasing its first national championship since 1989. A Wolverines title would also be the first for a Big Ten team since Michigan State in 2000. UConn, on the other side, is gunning for its third title in four seasons. No team has won three titles in four years since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty won 10 over 12 seasons from 1964-75.
Michigan is the first team to score at least 90 points in each of its first five NCAA Tournament games. Their offense is historic, their defense is the best in the nation, and they do both while playing at one of the fastest tempos in the country.
Yaxel Lendeborg is the engine, but comes in banged up. He sustained a left MCL sprain and left ankle sprain against Arizona and completed only 14 minutes of action, yet the All-American is expected to play. His MRI came back clean. Even at 80%, he’s a matchup nightmare — averaging 17.6 points over his last 10 games.
Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 center, was the story against Arizona — making six of his first eight shots and finishing 11-of-16 for 26 points and nine rebounds. He has set a single-season blocks record with 100. Against UConn’s interior, Mara is the key.
Elliot Cadeau (10.3 ppg, 5.9 assists) recovered from his allergic reaction and is the engine of Michigan’s pace. Michigan makes 51.0% of its shots from the field — 10.7 percentage points higher than UConn has allowed opponents all season. That is the single most striking number in this matchup.
Morez Johnson Jr. and bench guard Trey McKenney (16 points against Arizona off the bench) give Michigan a depth advantage that has worn teams down all tournament.
UConn has won 19 straight games past the second round of the tournament, a streak stretching back to 2009. They don’t just win — they know how to win, which is a different thing entirely.
Tarris Reed Jr. has been the tournament’s most dominant big man — a transfer from Michigan, he had 17 points and 11 rebounds against Illinois and 26 points and 9 rebounds in the Elite Eight win over Duke. He will carry the interior burden against Mara and Michigan’s frontcourt. He averaged 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds across the tournament.
Braylon Mullins, the freshman from Indianapolis — playing essentially on his home floor — has delivered two of the tournament’s signature moments: the logo three to beat Duke and the dagger three to ice Illinois. He finished with 15 points in the semifinal. The moment is not too big for him.
Alex Karaban is the wild card. A win would make him only the 14th player and first non-Bruin to win three national championships, but he has totaled just 14 points on 3-for-18 shooting over his last two games. UConn needs him to rediscover his shot.
Silas Demary Jr. is playing through a high ankle sprain but was effective against Illinois with nine rebounds and seven assists. Solo Ball, battling a foot injury, missed Sunday’s practice and is a game-time decision. If Ball can’t go, UConn’s backcourt depth takes a hit.
Scoring: Michigan averages 87.7 ppg; UConn averages 76.9 ppg. UConn scores 7.2 more points per game than Michigan allows opponents.
Defense: Michigan’s field goal percentage defense is 38.4% — best in the nation. UConn holds opponents to 40.3%.
Rebounding: Michigan outrebounds opponents by nearly nine boards per game. UConn averages 33.0 rebounds per game led by Reed’s 8.8.
Shooting: Michigan shoots 51% from the field, 36.9% from three. UConn shoots 36.7% from three but went 12-for-33 from deep against Illinois — an outlier that may not repeat.
Tempo: Michigan plays at one of the fastest paces in the country. UConn plays at one of the slowest — 319th per KenPom. Two of Michigan’s three losses came in games played at 63 or fewer possessions — nearly eight below Michigan’s average. If UConn can slow this game down, they dramatically improve their chances.
This is UConn’s path to an upset. Michigan’s three losses this season all featured an opponent with at least one player registering six or more assists, and those teams collectively averaged a 64% assist rate. Arizona had just five total assists and a 19% assist rate against Michigan. UConn’s ball movement — the off-ball screens, pindowns and cuts that create open looks for Karaban, Mullins and Ball — is exactly what Michigan has been unable to stop in defeat.
Michigan is disciplined at the line. UConn will need to get there more than they have — their free throw rate ranks 310th nationally. Illinois kept them off the line and nearly pulled off the upset.
Dusty May has engineered one of the great single-season coaching performances in recent memory — building the nation’s top offense AND defense simultaneously while playing at a breakneck pace. A win would make him the eighth active coach to win a national title.
Dan Hurley is in a class of his own in tournament settings. A win pushes his NCAA Tournament record to 21-5, just behind John Wooden’s 82.5% winning percentage for the best in tournament history among coaches with comparable experience. Hurley has won this game before. He knows what it takes.
For Michigan to win: Control the pace, push in transition, keep Lendeborg and Mara out of foul trouble, and deny UConn’s perimeter players clean looks off screens.
For UConn to win: Slow the game to 65 possessions or fewer, get Karaban going again, move the ball with high assist rates, and get Reed going early against Mara before Michigan adjusts.
The Lendeborg question is real. He said he’s playing no matter what, but a compromised Lendeborg changes the calculus considerably. Michigan has shown it can win without him — but against UConn’s experience and tournament pedigree, they’ll need at least a functional version of their best player.
Michigan’s size, depth and offensive efficiency are simply too much for UConn to overcome across 40 minutes. The Wolverines will get their first championship since 1989 — but UConn won’t go away quietly. Expect the Huskies to keep it close through the first half before Michigan’s frontcourt depth and transition game take over in the second. If Karaban gets hot from three and Ball is healthy enough to contribute, UConn has a puncher’s chance to pull off the upset. But Michigan is the better team on paper and has been the better team all season.
Michigan wins its second national championship.
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ESPN Pregame Stats
Saturday, April 4 — Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Illinois won the South Regional, knocking off #2 Houston and #9 Iowa to get here. UConn is making its eighth Final Four appearance and third in the last four seasons, and is 6-1 all-time in national semifinal games. This is a rematch of sorts — UConn beat Illinois in the 2024 tournament as part of their title run.
Illinois enters with the No. 1 offensive efficiency in the country per KenPom, outscoring opponents by 19.5 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. UConn’s defense has been top-10 nationally all season.
Keaton Wagler leads Illinois with 17.9 points per game and is scoring 17.5 per game in the tournament, shooting 40.7% from three on the year. Andrej Stojakovic (15.0 ppg), David Mirkovic (14.8 ppg) and Tomislav Ivisic (12.0) are all averaging double figures in the tournament. Five Illini average double figures, giving them extraordinary depth and the ability to survive an off night from any one player.
Mirkovic is averaging a double-double (14.8 pts/11.0 reb) and 4.0 offensive rebounds per game in the tournament. His 17 rebounds against Penn set an Illinois NCAA Tournament record.
Tarris Reed Jr. is averaging 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in the tournament while shooting 71% from the free throw line, and has evolved into the most dominant big man remaining. Alex Karaban is averaging 17.8 points per game in the regional on 48.1% shooting and 38.7% from three. Silas Demary Jr. averages 10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 40.5% from three.
This is Illinois’ biggest weapon. The Illini have dominated the glass in the NCAA Tournament with a +16.3 rebounding margin and rank third in the nation with a 39.5 offensive rebound rate. Mirkovic is the centerpiece of that advantage. UConn will need Reed to match him board for board.
Illinois has shot under 25% from long range just four times all season, giving them a reliable floor from deep. Wagler shoots 40.7% on the year. UConn was a dreadful 5-of-23 from three against Duke but made four of their last five when it mattered most. Karaban is streaky — capable of a big night or going ice cold.
Illinois commits just 13 fouls per game and opponents shot just over 12 free throws per game — no team in the country does a better job of keeping opponents off the line. This is a significant problem for UConn, which ranks 310th out of 365 Division I teams in free throw rate at just under 18 free throws per game.
Brad Underwood has Illinois playing its best basketball and has built the deepest offensive roster in the country. Dan Hurley is 19-5 in NCAA Tournament games at UConn and has won two titles. Karaban is 17-1 in his NCAA Tournament career — the best record of any player in the modern era. Hurley is a master of adjustments and UConn has proven capable of winning ugly, as their comeback from 19 down against Duke demonstrated.
Illinois’ rebounding advantage is real and significant. But UConn’s defense limits opponents’ free throws, and if Illinois can’t get to the line and UConn’s three-point shooting wakes up, it’s a different game. Wagler’s performance will be the deciding variable — he had just three points against UConn in November in 14 minutes played, a season low. Expect him to bounce back, but UConn’s defensive scheme specifically targets him.
Illinois’ balanced offense, rebounding dominance and superior free throw prevention give them the edge, but UConn’s tournament pedigree keeps it close until the final minutes.
This is the first Final Four matchup since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 featuring two teams that won each of their four previous tournament games by double digits. Michigan won by an average of 22.5 points; Arizona by 20.5. Both are KenPom’s top two teams in the country.
Michigan averages 87.7 points per game. Arizona allows 68.8 points per game. Michigan is averaging 95.3 points per game in the NCAA Tournament — the most by a team heading into the Final Four since Kentucky in 1993.
Yaxel Lendeborg leads Michigan at 21.0 points per game and has posted three straight 20-point performances in the tournament, scoring 25, 23 and 27 in his last three games while shooting 61.3% from the field and 70% from three in that stretch. Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 center, has set a single-season blocks record with 100 and the team has blocked at least eight shots in each of its four tournament games. Guard Elliot Cadeau (10.2 ppg, 5.8 assists) is a health question after an allergic reaction but is reportedly fine.
Brayden Burries leads Arizona with 16.1 points per game and shoots 50% from the field. Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, averages 13.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the tournament and has a knack for clutch moments. Freshman Koa Peat is shooting 54.2% in March Madness and is 18-of-25 from the foul line. Reserve Tobe Awaka leads Arizona with 9.1 rebounds per game and his 20% offensive rebounding rate leads the nation.
This game features an extraordinary battle of big men. Arizona’s defense is anchored by 7-foot-2 Motiejus Krivas, who will square off with Michigan’s 7-foot-3 Aday Mara. Arizona also has 6-8 Koa Peat and 6-8, 250-pound Tobe Awaka. Michigan counters with Lendeborg and 6-9 Morez Johnson Jr. Neither team has a size advantage — this one is a true battle of the frontcourts.
Michigan shoots 36.9% from three; Arizona shoots 36.7% — nearly identical. Arizona attempted just 16 three-pointers per game during the regular season — seven fewer than the average team — preferring to attack the paint. Michigan is more willing to shoot from deep but also thrives inside.
Arizona has been making more free throws than opposing teams have even attempted in the tournament — a remarkable discipline on both ends. Michigan turns defense into offense with full-court pressure and traps, forcing turnovers to trigger its transition game.
Awaka’s 20% offensive rebounding rate is the best in the country, but Michigan has Mara and Johnson to counter. This figures to be dead even and may come down to who stays out of foul trouble.
Dusty May has Michigan playing at a historically efficient level in both tempo and defense simultaneously — a combination rarely seen. Michigan leads the nation in defensive efficiency while playing at one of the fastest tempos in the country. Tommy Lloyd spent 21 years as an assistant at Gonzaga and has Arizona playing disciplined, physical basketball with enormous depth — all eight players in Arizona’s rotation have led the team in scoring at least once this season.
Michigan’s turnovers are the critical variable. Michigan ranked 257th in the country with 12.2 turnovers per game in the regular season, and if Mara gets into early foul trouble, the game could swing Arizona’s way. Arizona’s disciplined interior defense — allowing only 44.1% on two-point attempts — will challenge Michigan’s transition attack. For Arizona, Bradley must control the pace and prevent Michigan from turning the game into a track meet.
Michigan’s tempo, historic scoring in the tournament and Lendeborg’s current hot streak give them a slight edge, but Arizona’s discipline and interior depth make this a genuine toss-up that likely goes down to the final possession. Cadeau’s health is the wild card — if he’s at full strength, Michigan wins comfortably. If limited, Arizona’s depth could be the difference.
Both games figure to be close. Illinois over UConn in the first game, Michigan over Arizona in the nightcap — setting up a Big Ten national championship on Monday.
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The Masters: Rory Repeats
| Leader Board through Round 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McIlroy | -11 | 205 |
| Young | -11 | 205 | |
| 3 | Burns | -10 | 206 |
| 4 | Lowry | -9 | 207 |
| 5 | Day | -8 | 208 |
| Rose | -8 | 208 | |
| 7 | Scheffler | -7 | 209 |
| Li | -7 | 209 | |
| 9 | Cantlay | -6 | 210 |
| Henley | -6 | 210 | |
| Reed | -6 | 210 | |
Masters, Day 2
Friday, April 10, 2026, 7:35 pm ET
Reigning champion, Rory McIlroy, dominated the second round, scoring a 65, the low round of the day, finishing at 12-under for the tournament with a six-stroke lead over Sam Burns and Patrick Reed with the largest second day advantage in Masters’ history.
McIlroy displayed outstanding control on the fairways and greens, despite being spotty off the tee. The leader blistered the back nine, birdying six of the last seven holes, including the last four in succession, coming in at 31 for the final nine holes.
McIlroy needed only 24 putts to get around Augusta National on a day in which many of the world’s greatest players struggled to make par.
Tied for second place are first-round co-leader, Sam Burns and Patrick Reed at -6. Notably, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry each shot 3-under 69, tying them for fourth at -5 with Tommy Fleetwood, who carded a 68.
Six players are tied for 7th place at -4, a full seven strokes off the pace. Those are Wyndham Clark, Tyrrell Hatton, Haotong Li, Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan, Jason Day, and Cameron Young.
Other notables under par include Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama. World #1 golfer - who may not hold his ranking should McIlroy continue his torrid play - Scottie Scheffler shot 74 to finished in a tie for 24th at even par.
McIlroy has truly flashed greatness the first two rounds and could be headed to a second straight green jacket at Augusta. Should he win the tournament, he would join only three others who won back-to-back Masters, Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
The cut was made at +4, narrowing the field down for Saturday and Sunday play.
| Leader Board through Round 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McIlroy | -12 | 132 |
| 2 | Burns | -6 | 138 |
| Reed | -6 | 138 | |
| 4 | Rose | -5 | 139 |
| Lowry | -5 | 139 | |
| Fleetwood | -5 | 139 | |
| 7 | Clark | -4 | 140 |
| Hatton | -4 | 140 | |
| Li | -4 | 140 | |
| Reitan | -4 | 140 | |
| Day | -4 | 140 | |
| Young | -4 | 140 | |
The 90th Masters Tournament runs April 9-12 at Augusta National Golf Club, and the storylines are exceptional even by Masters standards. Defending champion Rory McIlroy arrives having completed his career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion last year — a playoff victory over Justin Rose that ended the longest and most celebrated near-miss narrative in modern golf. Now he tries to do something almost nobody does: win back-to-back Masters titles. McIlroy enters at +1100 odds, behind only Scottie Scheffler at +550 and LIV Golf contenders Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, both at +1000.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite to win the event for a third time in four years. Scheffler has been the dominant force in world golf for two years running, though he enters Augusta in an uncharacteristic five-tournament slump — which, given that he still ranks among the favorites, tells you something about the depth of his talent. Tiger Woods will not play this year after stepping away to seek treatment following a car crash in Florida.
One detail worth mentioning for the food-minded: as defending champion, McIlroy chose the menu for the Masters Club Dinner on April 7 — bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese, elk sliders, rock shrimp tempura, wagyu filet mignon or salmon, with sticky toffee pudding for dessert. The green jacket and the dinner menu. Not a bad week's work if you can get it.
Masters, Day 1
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 7:24 pm ET
Under clear skies and ideal playing conditions, Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy each carded early scores of 5-under par 67, sharing the first round lead against a strong host of pursuers.
When McIlroy signed his scorecard shortly after 3:00 pm, there was no player better than -3 still on the course, and that remained the case the rest of the afternoon, save for Justin Rose, who twice crept to within a shot of the lead, but both times fell back on following holes, finishing in a tie for sixth place at -2 with Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, and Xander Schauffele, Three players, Jason Day, Patrick Reed, and Kurt Kitayama are tied for third at -3. Behind them is a phalanx of 25 players at -1 and even par.
As the course firmed up and the greens became faster and less forgiving, No player carded a score of -2 or better among players who began play after 10:31, the start time for McIlroy, last year’s champion.
McIlroy exuded confidence throughout his opening round, amid cheers from an admiring throng of fans. He completed the round with six birdies and one bogey, 34 out and 33 on the back nine, his only bogey a five on hole #3.
With the weather expected to remain dry and warm for the remainder of the tournament, course conditions are likely to become increasingly challenging with sub-par rounds becoming rarities.
| Leaders after Round 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McIlroy | -5 | 67 |
| Burns | -5 | 67 | |
| 3 | Reed | -3 | 69 |
| Day | -3 | 69 | |
| Kitayama | -3 | 69 | |
| 6 | Scheffler | -2 | 70 |
| Rose | -2 | 70 | |
| Schauffele | -2 | 70 | |
|
2026 Masters Tournament — Round 1 Tee Times Thursday, April 9 • Augusta National Golf Club • All Times ET |
|
| Tee Time | Players |
| 7:25 a.m. | Honorary Starters: Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson |
| 7:40 a.m. | John Keefer, Haotong Li |
| 7:50 a.m. | Naoyuki Kataoka, Max Homa, Carlos Ortiz |
| 8:02 a.m. | José María Olazábal, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Aldrich Potgieter |
| 8:14 a.m. | Angel Cabrera, Sami Välimäki, Jackson Herrington (A) |
| 8:26 a.m. | Charl Schwartzel, Max Greyserman, Ryan Fox |
| 8:38 a.m. | Vijay Singh, Matt McCarty, Rasmus Højgaard |
| 8:50 a.m. | Kurt Kitayama, Kristoffer Reitan, Casey Jarvis |
| 9:02 a.m. | Bubba Watson, Nicolas Echavarría, Brandon Holtz (A) |
| 9:19 a.m. | Cameron Smith, Sam Burns, Jake Knapp |
| 9:31 a.m. | Keegan Bradley, Ryan Gerard, Nick Taylor |
| 9:43 a.m. | Dustin Johnson, Shane Lowry, Jason Day |
| 9:55 a.m. | Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Akshay Bhatia |
| 10:07 a.m. | Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele |
| 10:19 a.m. | Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, Russell Henley |
| 10:31 a.m. | Rory McIlroy ● Cameron Young ● Mason Howell (A) |
| 10:43 a.m. | Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay, Alex Noren |
| 11:03 a.m. | Samuel Stevens, Sungjae Im |
| 11:15 a.m. | Andrew Novak, Tom McKibbin, Brian Campbell |
| 11:27 a.m. | Mike Weir, Wyndham Clark, Mateo Pulcini (A) |
| 11:39 a.m. | Zach Johnson, Michael Kim, Nicolai Højgaard |
| 11:51 a.m. | Danny Willett, Davis Riley, Ethan Fang (A) |
| 12:03 p.m. | Adam Scott, Daniel Berger, Brian Harman |
| 12:15 p.m. | Fred Couples, Min Woo Lee, Fifa Laopakdee (A) |
| 12:27 p.m. | Sergio Garcia, Aaron Rai, Jacob Bridgeman |
| 12:44 p.m. | Harry Hall, Corey Conners, Michael Brennan |
| 12:56 p.m. | J.J. Spaun, Maverick McNealy, Tyrrell Hatton |
| 1:08 p.m. | Jon Rahm, Chris Gotterup, Ludvig Åberg |
| 1:20 p.m. | Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka |
| 1:32 p.m. | Sepp Straka, Ben Griffin, Justin Thomas |
| 1:44 p.m. | Scottie Scheffler ● Robert MacIntyre ● Gary Woodland |
| 1:56 p.m. | Harris English, Marco Penge, Si Woo Kim |
| (A) = Amateur • Highlighted rows: defending champion Rory McIlroy (10:31 a.m.) and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (1:44 p.m.) | |
Grand National: Aintree, April 11
Grand National Results Updated: 4/11/26, 11:40 am ETA winner in 2024 and runner-up last year, I Am Maximus, with a late, bold surge from about 8=9 lengths out after the final hurdle, captured the Grand National at Aintree, passing by late-leader Jordans and galloping out in strong fashion to win by 2 1/2 expanding lengths over 2nd place Iroco, who went off at 21-1. Jordans finished third at 37-1.
Trained by Willie Mullins, who had eight entires, I Am Maximus went off the favorite at 9-2, ridden masterfully by jockey Paul Townsend, the first horse to regain the crown since Red Rum did so in 1977. Never hurried until the latter stages, I Am Maximus proved a worthy champion at the high weight. Stablemate, Nick Rockett, last year's winner, was a late scratch.
Second choice, Panic Attack (6-1), fell early in the race, eliminated by the bushes. #33, Johnnywho, finished fourth.
Payouts below:
| Horse | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1 I Am Maximus | $11.00 | $4.60 |
| 13 Iroco | - | $10.20 |
| 28 Jordans | - | $13.60 |
| 33 Johnnywho | - | $6.80 |
$1 Exacta: 1-13, $117.40
$1 Trifecta: 1-13-28, $6,025.10
$1 Superfecta: 1-13-28-33, carryover, $1,945.14
2026 GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW
Saturday, April 11 — Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool — 4:00 PM London / 11:00 AM Eastern
The world’s greatest steeplechase returns to Aintree this afternoon with a full field of 34 runners set to tackle the famous 4-mile, 2½-furlong course over 30 fences. The Grand National asks horses to jump 30 fences — 16 on the first circuit and 14 on the second — before the sprint to the winning post, with iconic obstacles like Becher’s Brook and The Chair carrying fearsome reputations. It is a race where luck, stamina, jumping ability and sheer class must all converge on the same afternoon, and this year’s edition has all the ingredients for a classic renewal.
The dominant storyline heading into the race is the extraordinary stranglehold that Irish trainer Willie Mullins continues to exert over the event. Mullins boasts eight entries in total despite the late withdrawal of reigning champion Nick Rockett, who was ruled out after being reported to be coughing. His absence means the first reserve, Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper, comes into the race. Mullins has won the Grand National in each of the last two years and is bidding to become the first trainer to win three in a row.
Leading the market is Jagwar at 15/2, ridden by Mark Walsh for trainer Oliver Greenall and owner JP McManus. Grangeclare West is next at 8/1, with I Am Maximus at 17/2 and the English-trained mare Panic Attack hovering around the same mark. The fluctuating market has been one of the stories of the build-up, with the leaders swapping positions through the week. As of race morning, Paddy Power noted that I Am Maximus had drifted overnight while Panic Attack briefly moved to the front of the market.
I Am Maximus (Paul Townend/Willie Mullins) is attempting to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National crown. He won the race in 2024, finished runner-up to stablemate Nick Rockett last year, and goes again carrying top weight of 11st 12lb — the same burden he carried when second 12 months ago. The last horse to win under top weight was Red Rum himself in 1974, so history is both with and against him.
Grangeclare West (Patrick Mullins/Willie Mullins) is widely considered one of the most straightforward each-way bets in the race. He was unlucky not to finish closer than third last year after a mistake at the last fence cost him ground when disputing the lead, but he won the Bobbyjo Chase in February in impressive fashion as his Grand National prep. Patrick Mullins, who rode Nick Rockett to victory last year, has switched to this mount and is bullish about his chances.
Panic Attack (Harry Skelton/Dan Skelton) is the sentimental English hope and the most intriguing runner in the field. The ten-year-old mare has won two of the biggest Saturday handicap chases this season — the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury — and trainer Dan Skelton believes a victory would seal him a long-coveted first trainers’ championship title. As legendary trainer Kim Bailey put it: “Panic Attack has the speed of a two-and-a-half-miler and the stamina of a three-miler — what a way for Dan Skelton to round off his season.” No mare has won the Grand National since Nickel Coin in 1951, but connections believe she has the tools to end that drought.
Jagwar (Mark Walsh/Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) is a fascinating proposition. The seven-year-old is a relative unknown at this marathon distance, requiring something of a leap of faith from punters, but his quality is undeniable and he finished a close second in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham as his prep run. Multiple expert tipsters and ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell have sided with him, noting his great weight, his big-striding style and his potential to thrive over the Aintree trip.
Iroko (Jonjo O’Neill Jr./Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) also runs for the powerful McManus operation and was at one point considered the likely pre-race favourite. He finished fourth last year on his first attempt, came from the back of the field in remarkable fashion, and showed he belonged at this level. However a disappointing run in the Ultima at Cheltenham caused him to drift in the market, though connections believe a poor tracheal wash that day explains the run.
Further down the market, Johnnywho (11/1) is a compelling British-trained story, having won the Ultima at Cheltenham on his first run back from wind surgery. Haiti Couleurs (22/1), trained by Rebecca Curtis in Wales, is seeking to make history as no horse has ever won the Welsh and Irish Nationals as well as the Aintree version, and his strong stamina profile makes him a live each-way contender. Monty’s Star (12/1) for Henry De Bromhead, fourth in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, is another with admirers.
The going is good to soft at Aintree this morning, with a brisk breeze blowing against the runners in the home straight — a factor that could make it a very long way home from the last fence. In a field this competitive, with the Willie Mullins juggernaut, a fairytale English mare, a seven-year-old stepping into the unknown and several proven Aintree performers, the 2026 Grand National has all the hallmarks of a memorable running. Post time is 4:00 PM London, 11:00 AM Eastern.
Sources:
Racing Post |
ESPN |
Horse & Hound |
GrandNational.org.uk |
Sky Sports
Across the Atlantic on April 11, the most chaotic and beloved horse race in the world takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, England. The 178th Grand National runs at 4 p.m. BST over 4 miles, 2½ furlongs with 30 jumps across two circuits — one of the longest races on the calendar. More than 150,000 spectators attend the three-day Aintree Festival, with around 70,000 watching the National itself.
I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner and last year's runner-up, is the bookmakers' favourite once again, trained by the formidable Willie Mullins. Also prominent are last year's winner Nick Rockett — who returns to defend his crown — along with Haiti Couleurs, Grangeclare West, and Iroko. Mullins is chasing a remarkable third consecutive Grand National victory. The complete runners and odds are at GrandNational.org.uk.
April, in short, does not waste your time. Neither do we. See you on the other side of it.
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| Tournament Conference Scoreboard - FINAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Conf (#) | W | L | |
| SEC (10) | 14 (TEX, 3), (VAND), (TAM), (ARK, 2) (FLA), (ALA, 2), (TENN, 3), (UK) | 10 (GA), (MIZ), (TAM), (VAND), (FLA), (UK), (ARK), (TEX), (ALA), (TENN) | |
| Big Ten (9) | 20 (MIST, 2), (NEB, 2), (ILL, 4), (MICH, 5), (PUR, 3), (UCLA), (IOWA, 3) | 8 (WISC), (OSU), (UCLA), (NEB), (MIST) (PUR), (IOWA), (ILL) | |
| ACC (8) | 6 (DUKE, 3), (LOU), (UVA), (MIA) | 8 (NCST), (SMU), (CLEM), (NCU), (LOU), (MIA), (UVA), (DUKE) | |
| Big 12 (8) | 12 (HOU, 2), (ARIZ, 4), (TCU), (ISU, 2), (KAN), (TTU) | 8 (BYU), (UCF), (TCU), (KAN), (TTU), (HOU), (ISU), (ARIZ) | |
| Big East (3) | 7 (CONN, 5), (STJ, 2) | 2 (VILL), (STJ) | |
| WCC (3) | 1 (GONZ) | 3 (STM), (SCU), (GONZ) | |
| MAC (2) | 1 (M-OH) | 2 (AKR), (M-OH) | |
| A-10 (2) | 2 (VCU), (STL) | 2 (VCU), (STL) | |
| All Others (24) | 4 (HOW), (PV), (HPT), (USU) | 23 (UMBC), (LEH), (SIE), (USF), (NDST), (MCN), (TROY), (PENN), (IDH), (HOW), (KENN), (HAW), (LIU), (PV), (TNST), (QUC), (FUR), (WRST), (HOF), (CBU), (UNI), (HPT), USU | |