The Fairway to the Front Seat: The Best of the Masters From Mercedes-Benz to Magnolia Lane

By Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

Contact Alexis Mikulski Ruiz by Email View all posts by Alexis Mikulski Ruiz May 4, 2026

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Some events are so exclusive, they don’t feel real. There’s the Kentucky Derby, scoring tickets to Saturday Night Live (don’t even get me started), and of course, the Masters, held annually in Augusta, Georgia.

This is the kind of place where legends are made, and where, at the end of the week, one player is slipped into the iconic green jacket (this year it was Rory McIlroy). Actually getting in? That’s another story. Unless you’re ready to drop thousands, or roll the dice on the lottery (applications open June 1 for 2027, with less than a 1% chance), it’s about as elusive as it gets.

But beyond the famously affordable concessions (seriously, beer is $6) and merch that rivals Disneyland, there’s another layer of exclusivity woven into the experience: Mercedes-Benz.

For nearly two decades, the automobile brand has served as an official champion partner of Augusta National Golf Club, quietly inserting itself into the DNA of the tournament. That relationship extends to the players, too. Rising star Ludvig Åberg joined as a global ambassador last year, while legend Bernhard Langer has had a decades-long relationship with the brand.

In honor of the upcoming Masters lottery and a partnership that keeps evolving, here’s a rare look at everything from the brand’s private hospitality spaces to life on the course, and of course, the cars.

THE CAR

If Mercedes-Benz has a calling card, it’s combining engineering with customer experience. The weekend kicked off in Atlanta, where we were introduced to our ride: a Mercedes-Maybach SL680.

Fresh off its arrival at U.S. car dealerships (in late 2025), the convertible felt less like transportation and more like a preview of where luxury is headed. Ours came in a deep red, fitting, in a way (take a look at the Rolling Stone logo), and we pointed it toward Magnolia Lane.

The drive turned into its own kind of pregame. Think Seventies and Eighties rock on full blast, windows down, the sound system doing exactly what it was designed to do. There may or may not have been a McDonald’s stop along the way, and yes, people noticed the ride. Hard not to.

THE LODGING

The 1886 Club is where the brand stretches beyond standard hospitality and into something closer to a fully realized experience. It’s not just welcome bags and logos, it’s an entire affair. There’s elevated dining, a snack shop stocked with free bags to fill, and an impressive attention to detail.

From there, we checked into accommodations, private homes rented out for the week, a common Augusta tradition (that has helped residents of the town rack up millions of views on TikTok). The staff, from front desk to brand ambassadors, knew everything about the cars and their craft.

THE MAIN EVENT

True to form, arrival at the course came courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. A Sprinter van brought us from the 1886 Club to the brand’s on-course hospitality cabin, which was tucked right into the action.

Thanks to the long-standing partnership, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are the only ones permitted on-site at Augusta National Golf Club — and it’s almost impossible not to notice while walking the green. The cabin itself had a first-class lounge vibe with just the right amount of Southern hospitality — from VIP access passes (to the aforementioned gift shop) to on-the-ground guidance, Mercedes handled everything with ease.

THE TECH

What’s striking about the partnership is how naturally technology folds into tradition. Mercedes-Benz thinks long and hard about how its audience experiences the event.

Last year, I spoke with Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Digital & Communications, Mercedes-Benz, and she put it best: “We speak to the audiences of tomorrow with our collaborations, but at the same time, we stay true to what Mercedes-Benz stands for: status, latest technologies, and craftsmanship.”

That philosophy shows up in subtle but smart ways. Select vehicles are integrated with Masters updates, allowing guests to follow the tournament in real time. Elsewhere, immersive visuals brought iconic parts of the course, like Amen Corner, to life inside newer models.

THE PARTNERSHIPS

Beyond the tournament itself, Mercedes-Benz is leaning further into the Augusta community. This year, the brand stepped in as a “Sustaining Partner of the Patch,” which focuses on contributing to Augusta locals and preserving the legacy of the course. It’s a quieter part of the story, but one that matters.

THE FITS

Of course, to match everything Mercedes-Benz had to offer, dressing the part felt almost as important as deciding whether I really needed seat warmers on in 80-degree weather.

Below, you’ll find some of my outfits from the weekend, along with a little inspiration for what to wear this summer during golf season. You might not be playing Augusta, but it never hurts to dress like you’ve got a tee time on the 18th.

TravisMatthew MoreKnit Sleeveless Dress

$129.95

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TravisMathew is a master (no pun intended) at making high-quality golf and sportswear. This sleeveless dress kept me comfortable while walking from Amen Corner to the Firethorn cabin.

Tuckernuck Charley Cardigan

$148.00

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Tuckernuck embodies Southern charm in clothing form, and this cable-knit sweater was perfect for chilly mornings on the green, warm enough at sunrise, yet breathable once the afternoon sun broke through.

Alo Trail Shoes

$295.00

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The only way I made it through all 18 holes (for two days straight, might I add) was in my Alo trail shoes. My feet were grateful the moment I put them on.

Spanx Glow Weave Skort

$98.00

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It might come as a surprise, but Spanx makes some of the best activewear out there. There’s something funny about the Masters, the only sporting event where everyone shows up dressed like they might tee off themselves, and this skort absolutely rose to the occasion, even if I was mostly just sipping beer.

Lilly Pulitzer Twila Skirted Romper

$228.00

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Lilly Pulitzer has Southern style woven into its DNA, and this romper transitions effortlessly from the course to cocktails at the clubhouse.

The Masters has been around for nearly 90 years, and Mercedes-Benz for more than a century. When you bring two legacies like that together, the result is something close to magic. And for everyone there, from guests of the brand to lifelong followers of the tournament, you could feel it.

Callaway 2026 Chrome Tour April Major 360 Stripe Golf Balls

$59.99

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If you couldn’t make it to the tournament this year but still want a piece of the experience, Callaway has the next best thing — Chrome Tour Golf balls that look like something you could only find at Augusta National.