AUGUSTA, Ga. – For Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest fan on the PGA Tour, Harris English, the anticipation for the 2026 season is already building. English is confident the Jaguars will continue their impressive momentum, building on their eight-game winning streak to secure another AFC South title and a strong 13-4 record. He views this as a remarkable recovery from the heartbreaking loss to the Houston Texans, where a 19-point fourth-quarter lead slipped away.
“It’s just how they picked themselves off the mat,” English remarked, the five-time PGA Tour winner who shares a high school connection with Jacques McClendon, the agent for Jaguars coach Liam Coen. “They could have easily faltered after that tough loss, but they rallied, turned things around, and started winning consistently. It was truly inspiring to witness.”
English was present at the Jaguars’ Monday night victory against Kansas City and the subsequent playoff game against Buffalo. He’s a regular at training camp practices and maintains frequent communication with Coach Coen, discussing both football and golf strategies.
While optimistic about the Jaguars’ future, English acknowledges the challenges of the next two seasons. The team will play with reduced capacity at EverBank Stadium and then relocate to Orlando in 2027. “I admire the direction Liam, [general manager James] Gladstone, [executive vice-president Tony] Boselli, and owner Shad Khan are taking the team,” English stated. “I’m incredibly excited about their vision. While the stadium renovations and temporary move to Orlando will present hurdles, they have a strong team and will persevere.”
Ponte Vedra Beach resident Cameron Smith’s 2024 Masters run ended with his first-ever missed cut. He’s hoping a change in routine will prove beneficial. The 2022 Players Champion, now competing in the LIV Golf League, played in Miami the week before the 2025 Masters. However, LIV Golf didn’t schedule an event the week prior to the season’s first major this year.
“It’s always a plus to have a week or two of rest before a major championship,” Smith explained. “It allows you to feel refreshed. Regardless of whether the previous week involved a significant or smaller event, it still demands a lot of effort and takes a toll. So, arriving here feeling fresh is ideal.” Smith is making his ninth appearance at the Masters. In 2020, he became the first player in tournament history to record four scores in the 60s, finishing second behind Dustin Johnson and initiating a run of five tournaments where he finished in the top 10 four times. Last year, however, he missed the cut with scores of 71-78.
The Masters also showcases talent from the University of Georgia golf program, with five alumni competing this week. Adding to the excitement is Mason Howell, a future Bulldog and the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, who is already receiving enthusiastic support from UGA fans.
Howell had the opportunity to practice with Harris English and Jacob Bridgeman on April 6th. “Being able to play with Harris and Jacob today, obviously two big names… drew a decent-sized crowd,” Howell said. “Being here at the Masters playing in front of this many people, it’s awesome. Really looking forward to the future because I hope I’m out here every single year, but today was a lot of fun and a good start to the week.”
Howell is fully embracing the amateur experience, including staying in the Crow’s Nest, the exclusive lodging at Augusta National reserved for amateur participants. He’s also anticipating strong support from family and friends from his hometown of Thomasville, Georgia. Howell is already hearing “Go Dawgs” from the crowd and proudly displays a UGA belt buckle during practice rounds.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Howell admitted. “It’s a long week, but I’m keeping it to nine holes a day, focusing on myself, and then whenever Thursday comes, I know I’ll be pretty nervous but excited at the same time. If I keep a smile on my face, I think the rest will take care of itself.”
**Event Details:**
* **Event:** Masters Tournament
* **Dates:** April 9-12
* **Location:** Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.
* **Purse:** $21 million in 2025 ($4.2 million and 750 FedEx Cup points to the winner, 2026 purse to be announced).
* **Defending Champion:** Rory McIlroy
* **TV Coverage:** ESPN (April 9-10, 3-7:30 p.m.); CBS (April 11-12, 2-7 p.m.).
* **Players to Watch:** Ludvig Åberg, Michael Brennan, Nico Echavarria, Harris English, Brian Harman, Zach Johnson, Andrew Novak, Vijay Singh, Cameron Smith.
[Learn more about the Masters Tournament](https://www.masters.com/).
