Gnome unknowns: Masters chair Ridley in dark about ornaments’ Augusta future

Apr 08, 2026 - 17:50

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Gnome unknowns: Masters chair Ridley in dark about ornaments’ Augusta future

Internal secrecy appears to stretch to Augusta chairman
‘It’s not a trivial question … they won’t tell me the answer’

The Masters gnome drama has taken another twist after the chair of Augusta National admitted he is in the dark as to the must-have items’ future. Fred Ridley has repeatedly asked whether 2026 will be the final year for gnomes being on sale – as has been widely speculated – but revealed there is internal secrecy even towards him.

Ridley’s annual Masters media address took an amusing turn when a questioner put what was suggested as a “trivial” poser towards him: are reports of the gnomes’ demise correct? “Number one, the question is not trivial,” he said. “Number two: I’ve been asking that question for several years and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”