{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/69d5b05a34b90cef2b4c8a39?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The 90th Masters Preview & Augusta's $70M Empire - April 8th, 2026","description":"<p>On Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, we dive into the off-course economics and player mindsets on the eve of the 90th Masters, highlighted by Rory McIlroy's pressure-free title defense and Scottie Scheffler chasing history.</p><p><br></p><h3>THE 90TH MASTERS PREVIEW</h3><ul><li>Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta with a Grand Slam under his belt and zero pressure, while Scottie Scheffler dials in his reminder grip to tie Tiger Woods’ historic record of five consecutive Masters as World No. 1.</li><li>\"I would not care if the tournament never started,\" McIlroy joked about his relaxed mindset, while Scheffler is busy hitting a staggering 128-foot apex.</li><li>Jon Rahm is genuinely shocked to find himself under par at Amen Corner, sticking to a simple strategy at the 12th: \"hit the middle of the green, two putt, move on.\"</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>AUGUSTA'S ECONOMICS &amp; OWGR HISTORY</h3><ul><li>Augusta National continues to leverage its unique $0 domestic TV rights strategy to fund massive upgrades like the flawless new Player Services Building, all while generating a staggering $70 million in merchandise revenue during tournament week.</li><li>The merchandise tent pulls in $277 a second, funding luxury player buys like Adam Scott's $1,800 ottoman and Adam Hadwin's $1,500 putter, while Cameron Smith says the new facilities have \"no flaws.\"</li><li>Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the OWGR, Bernhard Langer joked about Deane Beman's old 15-event minimum and 1980s travel: \"We did not go on boats, but we did not go on private jets.\"</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS</h3><ul><li>Nineteen-year-old Maria Jose Marin captured a stunning four-shot victory at the Augusta National Women's Amateur with a final-round 68, while Lauren Coughlin secured a wire-to-wire, five-stroke redemption win at the Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek.</li><li>Coughlin banished her Shadow Creek demons, noting last year's event \"left a sour taste in my mouth,\" to completely dominate the field.</li><li>Marin’s ANWA victory was aided by her caddie, Darren Woo, a local firefighter who incredibly worked a grueling 14-hour shift right before carrying her bag to the winner's circle.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>Patrick Reed returns to the DP World Tour • Reed critiques LIV's shotgun start • Reed missed the \"adrenaline\" of a traditional leaderboard</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}