Mark Calcavecchia booted from 90th Masters in Augusta for using phone
Mark Calcavecchia booted from 90th Masters in Augusta for using phone
Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAYWed, April 8, 2026 at 9:59 PM UTC
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Mark Calcavecchia booted from 90th Masters in Augusta for using phone
Mark Calcavecchia was kicked out of the 90th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club for violating the tournament's no-phone policy.
Augusta National doesn't allow anyone to use their phones – including media members and patrons, which refers to fans and spectators in attendance. This rule includes laptops, tablets and two-way pagers. It's enforced to "maintain a traditional atmosphere."
No distractions, no excuses. Violating this rule can lead to immediate expulsion and loss of tickets and that's what happened to the 13-time PGA Tour winner and 1989 Open Championship winner.
Calcavecchia, 65, was not participating in the event but was there as an "honorary invitee," a recognition reserved for winners of men’s golf’s other three majors after being exempt for five years into the Masters.
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He was allegedly caught on his phone, and consequently was removed from the Masters by security at the annual golf championship event.
1 / 0See photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest full of kids and smiles
On Wednesday at Augusta National, the Par 3 Contest replaces routine with play, as kids wander onto the greens and smiles outnumber swings before the Masters gets underway.These images capture the lighthearted moments that define the Par 3 Contest each year, when players share the course with their children and the focus shifts from preparation to pure joy.Above, Jordan Spieth and his wife, Annie Verret, crouch down on the ninth green as their son, Sully, crawls across during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Spieth’s oldest child, Sammy, clings to his back.
“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” Calcavecchia told Golfweek before immediately disconnecting the call.
Calcavecchia competed in the Masters a total of 18 times between 1987 and 2008. Although he never hoisted the trophy or wore the distinguished green jacket, he finished second in the tournament in 1988.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Calcavecchia kicked out of 90th Masters in Augusta for phone use
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