Masters 2026: Who puts the green jacket on Rory McIlroy if he wins again at Augusta National?
Photo by Stephen Denton
AUGUSTA, Ga. — It’s a dilemma Rory McIlroy would love to face come Sunday. One of the Masters enduring traditions is for the reigning champion to return to Butler Cabin and help the new Masters champion slip on the green jacket in front of millions of TV viewers worldwide. The ceremony then repeats itself on Augusta National’s practice putting green in front of dozens of dignitaries and patrons who stick around to help coronate the new champion.
But what happens if Rory McIlroy isn’t just the one helping put on the green jacket but also the player putting it on?
Only three times in the previous 89 editions of the Masters has a winner successfully defended his title. The first was Jack Nicklaus in 1965-66. Next came Nick Faldo in 1989-90. Last was Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
In the event of such a scenario, the likely Plan B will be for Masters chairman Fred Ridley to jump in and play the role of past champion. Hord Hardin did that for Faldo in 1990 and Hootie Johnson for Woods in 2002.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT
In 1966, Bobby Jones recommended Nicklaus act in a dual capacity and put on his own jacket. Photos show Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts standing nearby, but Nicklaus proceeded to slip into the green jacket himself, “much to the enjoyment of the crowd” according to the Masters media guide.
Augusta National
No doubt McIlroy would be elated to get to put the green jacket back on for a second straight year. After winning it for the first time in 17 Masters starts, and becoming the sixth person to win the career Grand Slam in the process, McIlroy enjoyed being able to take it off property as the reigning champion in 2025, bringing it with him as he traveled the world playing golf. It came along with Northern Ireland, Australia and India among other destinations.
Wearing the jacket—size 38 regular—during his Tuesday pre-tournament press conference, McIlroy acknowledged that he never took it to the tailor or dry clearer during the year. “I'm afraid to. I've tried to be very careful, but yeah.”
According to the Masters media guide, Augusta National members first started wearing green coats in 1937, the jackets purchased from Brooks Uniform Company in New York City. Members were urged to buy and wear the jackets during the tournament so fans could “identify a reliable source of information.” Since 1967, the jackets have been made by Hamilton Tailoring Company out of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The first green jacket first was awarded to a Masters champion in 1949 when Sam Snead was victorious. The jackets for past winners are stored at Augusta National, with the new winner each year allowed to take his jacket home with them.
If you also are wondering whether Rory would actually be given a second green jacket, the answer is no. Typically, a multiple winner will have only one green jacket “unless his size drastically changes.”
