Latest Sports News

Two shots in, Mason Howell gets full Augusta experience in Masters debut

Mason Howell needed just two shots Thursday at the Masters to experience Augusta National in full.

LIVE UPDATES

The Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy carries last year’s momentum into opening round

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

The Braves finally have good vibes again

NBA

Hawks’ playoff probabilities remain high despite consecutive losses

How much it would cost to buy one of every item at the Masters Golf Shop

AJC Varsity

AJC VARSITY

Final girls basketball rankings: 4 first-time state champions finish No. 1

In the final girls basketball rankings after the state championships, four first-time winners finish No. 1.

4A Boys State Championship game between St. Pius X and Pace Academy

AJC VARSITY

Final boys basketball rankings: 3 first-time champions finish No. 1

St. Pius, Rabun County and Darlington won titles for the first time. Class 6A champion Wheeler won its 11th.

Best in Georgia: 2025 AJC Varsity high school football all-state teams

Not only did the AJC Varsity name first-team all-state honorees for each GHSA classification, but it also added breakout players to watch in this year's all-state honors.

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Michael Cunningham’s columns

Ken Sugiura’s columns

Vote: What’s your grade for Kevin Stefanski as Falcons coach?

Vote: Which potential Falcons free agent is most important to re-sign?

Atlanta Braves

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

The Braves finally have good vibes again

MLB

How the Braves’ City Connect 2.0 uniforms came to life

MLB

Takeaways from Braves’ first two weeks: Bullpen dominant, offense adaptable

Georgia Bulldogs

BULLDOGS

Details emerge following speeding arrest for Georgia basketball’s Kareem Stagg

BULLDOGS

An improved Demello Jones could give UGA one of nation’s best cornerback duos

BULLDOGS

Georgia basketball player arrested for speeding, driving without a license

Atlanta Falcons

NFL

Kaleb McGary, the Falcons’ expected starter at right tackle, retires

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Accountability for James Pearce Jr. apparently won’t come from the Falcons

NFL

Former Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King to visit Falcons, per report

Georgia Tech

Why Keylan Rutledge could shatter Tech’s 1st-round NFL draft glass ceiling

YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech baseball sweeps California, extends its win streak to 8 games

NFL

Former Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King to visit Falcons, per report

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United's home opener versus Real Salt Lake

MLS

Atlanta United fall 3-1 to Columbus Crew, Martino ejected

Arthur Blank names president of soccer to oversee United, NWSL franchises

MLS

Atlanta United battles to scoreless draw

Atlanta Hawks

NBA

Hawks’ playoff probabilities remain high despite consecutive losses

Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander says Hawks’ NAW ‘better win’ NBA’s MIP award

NBA

Hawks have to wait a little longer to clinch playoff spot, fall to Cavs

High Schools

AJC VARSITY

GHSA to consider bylaw changes to help it fight future lawsuits, injunctions

AJC VARSITY

Joseph Contreras is ‘just enjoying the moment’ ahead of MLB vs. Vandy decision

BULLDOGS

Where does UGA stand with the state’s top 2028 prospect? ‘I love it in Athens’

State Report

Masters round 2: Here’s what to expect Friday at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy’s hot start stokes discussion of back-to-back green jackets

How much it would cost to buy one of every item at the Masters Golf Shop

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Sam Burns tees off on the 17th green Thursday. He ended the day tied for first with Rory McIlroy. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Defending champion Rory McIlroy tees off his first round of the Masters. He ended the day tied for first with Sam Burns. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Robert MacIntyre tees off on 18th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

The pairing of Scottie Scheffler, Gary Woodland and Robert MacIntyre walk to 16th green during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Justin Thomas with caddie Matt Minister line up putt on 17th green during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Sergio Garcia hits from 14th fairway during the first round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Chris Gotterup reacts to shot on 14th fairway during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Justin Rose reacts to his shot from the rough on the 14th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Jordan Spieth hits out of bunker on 15th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on 16th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Patrick Reed and caddie Kessler Karain line up Reed's putt on 17th hole during first round of play at the Masters. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Scottie Scheffler hits his third shot on the 15th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Aaron Rai works his ball out of the bunker on the 12th hole. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Jordan Spieth reacts after 14th fairway shot during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Ludvig Åberg and caddie Joe Skovron walk up 15th fairway during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Fred Couples hits off of 16th tee during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Harry Hall tees off on 16th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Jason Getz/AJC)

Scottie Scheffler on 17th green during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Fred Couples, the oldest player in the tournament at 66, checks the wind on the 14th hole at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Amateur Mason Howell of Thomasville prepares to putt on the eighth hole. At just 18 years old, he's the youngest player in the tournament. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Patrick Reed prepares his third shot on the 18th hole during first round play at the Masters on Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Rory McIlroy and Mason Howell shake hands at the end of their first round of the Masters. It's tradition for the defending Masters champ (McIlroy) to play alongside the reigning U.S. Amateur winner (Howell). (Jason Getz/AJC)

Russell Henley hits from the bunker on 17th hole during the first round of play Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Harris English tees off to begin his first round at the Masters. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Patrick Reed and Akshay Bhatia cross Nelson Bridge between the 12th and 13th holes. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Bryson DeChambeau lines up putt on 17th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Jon Rahm eyes the first hole during his first round of the Masters on Thursday. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Sepp Straka tees off on 11th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Patrons watch Rory McIlroy shot on seventh hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Cameron Young hits onto the seventh green at Augusta National. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Amateur Mason Howell loses his hat teeing off on the first green to start his Masters experience. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Aaron Rai and caddie Jason Timmis line up shoot on 14th hole during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hideki Matsuyama, the Masters 2021 champ, prepares to putt on the second hole Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Mason Howell chips to the second green during his first Masters tournament. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Fred Couples lines up a putt on 14th green during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Patron watches play during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Honorary starter Jack Nicklaus has six green jackets for his Masters wins. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Three-time Masters champ and honorary starter Gary Player "kick off" the 2026 Masters tournament Thursday. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Patrick Reed chips to the 17th green during first round of the Masters Tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Augusta, GA (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz/Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Sam Burns tees off on the 17th green Thursday. He ended the day tied for first with Rory McIlroy. (Jason Getz/AJC)

More Sports news

Two shots in, Mason Howell gets full Augusta experience in Masters debut

Mason Howell needed just two shots Thursday at the Masters to experience Augusta National in full.

LIVE UPDATES

The Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy carries last year’s momentum into opening round

The Masters 2026: Live updates from Augusta National as Rory McIlroy aims to defend his title.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

The Braves finally have good vibes again

The Braves have good vibes again.

NBA

Hawks’ playoff probabilities remain high despite consecutive losses

The Hawks still have work to do to avoid falling out of the NBA Eastern Conference's top six and into a spot in the play-in tournament. Atlanta holds the No. 5 seed.

How much it would cost to buy one of every item at the Masters Golf Shop

Prices range from less than $10 for sunglass straps to nearly $600 for sunglasses to put them on, according to Golf Shop employees.

BULLDOGS

An improved Demello Jones could give UGA one of nation’s best cornerback duos

Moving on from the Ole Miss loss and being more physical on the field could lead to Georgia football's Demello Jones earning a starting spot at cornerback.

BULLDOGS

Details emerge following speeding arrest for Georgia basketball’s Kareem Stagg

Georgia basketball player Kareem Stagg was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, speeding and driving without a valid license, after a traffic stop.

Game 2 of Atlanta Braves vs Kansas City Royals

MLB

Takeaways from Braves’ first two weeks: Bullpen dominant, offense adaptable

After a grueling opening stretch, the Atlanta Braves sit three games over .500 behind elite relief pitching, steady starters and encouraging early signs at the plate.

Why Augusta National could be ‘even more difficult’ for 2026 Masters

Putts are expected to be more challenging for the 90th edition of the Masters.

AJC VARSITY

GHSA to consider bylaw changes to help it fight future lawsuits, injunctions

The Georgia High School Association will consider rule changes next week that could help it prevail in lawsuits like the one it lost to Gainesville during the 2025 playoffs