For years, Augusta National Golf Club has operated under a defined set of rules that govern everything from entry to conduct. Those rules are applied without exception, and violations are addressed immediately.

The individual arrived at Augusta National without a ticket on the opening day of the Masters week and tried to gain entry by approaching other patrons.

According to a report from the Augusta Press, Matthew Stroud, a 36-year-old from Easley, arrived at the North Gate inebriated and asked people in line for access to the practice round.

Officers from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office spoke to him around 11 a.m. ET and instructed him to leave the property, and he initially complied.

The Augusta Press report revealed that Stroud later returned and “continued the behavior” of approaching patrons for tickets, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Captain Scott Gay. Officers again asked him to leave, but this time he refused.

As a result, Officers arrested him for criminal trespassing. He was taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and was released later that day on a $285 bond.

How Access to Augusta National Golf Club Works During the Masters

Entry to Augusta National Golf Club is managed through an official ticket lottery. The club does not sell tickets through open public channels. Spectators must apply through the Masters website and are selected through a random process.

Applications for the 2027 Masters are scheduled to open from June 1 to June 20, 2026. To apply, individuals need to create an account and submit a request within that window.

For the 2026 event, practice round tickets were priced between $125 and $150, while daily tournament tickets were set at $160. Augusta National, Inc. remains the only authorized seller.

Tickets from third-party platforms can reach prices in the thousands and may not be accepted at entry.

Follow Club Golf for more Masters updates.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi