Rory McIlroy forced to comply with legal rule before Masters appearance

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy must fulfil a legal requirement before taking part in the 2026 edition of the historic tournament.

On 9 April, golf’s elite will take to the course at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, with stars including McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler among the 92 confirmed entrants.

Of course, McIlroy won last year’s Masters and, in doing so, completed a career Grand Slam 11 years after securing his third major championship at the 2014 PGA Championship.

McIlroy cut a jubilant figure when he was presented with the Green Jacket by Scheffler and will no doubt hope to replicate the feat this time around.

However, before the 90th edition of the tournament gets under way, the Northern Irishman must comply with a legal requirement relating to the garment.

During an appearance on Stick to Football in January, McIlroy told former professional footballers Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher about the protocol Masters winners must follow.

Rory McIlroy being presented with the Green Jacket in 2025 (Credit:Getty)

“You have to sign a legal document to take it [Green Jacket] out of the club,” McIlroy explained having also said that he keeps it in his wardrobe.

“And there are dos and don’ts with it. You have to wear a certain shirt, and you have to wear a club tie, and you only wear dress shoes. You can’t wear trainers.”

Green jackets were first worn by Augusta National Golf Club members in 1937 before the first Masters champion, Sam Snead, was presented with the garment in 1949.

“That’s what makes it such a great place,” McIlroy added. “It’s like they know who they are, and they stick to it. And it’s also one of the reasons they have one of the best brands in sport. It’s because they are so meticulous, and they do everything in such a way that, yeah.”

The 36-year-old also revealed that champions must return the jacket ahead of the subsequent Masters.

Several other rules are enforced at Augusta, with mobile phones banned from the course, as well as cameras prohibited outside practice days.

If someone breaks the rules, they may be asked to leave the course. Players and spectators are also not permitted to lie on the ground or even run, while the dress code states that backwards-facing hats are not allowed, with jeans seen as a no-no. Shoes must also be worn at all times, but high heels and sandals, including flip-flops, are against the rules.