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Masters Gnome Rush Forces Line Closures at Augusta National

Resale prices near $1,000 have turned a $49.50 souvenir into a crowd-control problem.

Overview

  • Augusta National staff closed the merchandise line Monday after five‑wide queues formed for the limited‑edition Masters garden gnome.
  • The 2026 figure sells for $49.50 with a one‑per‑patron limit and an estimated 1,000 released per day, which leads to rapid early‑morning sellouts.
  • This year’s gnome is already listed in the high hundreds with some near $1,000, while early editions have fetched about $10,000 at auction.
  • Demand has stayed intense through midweek as local outlets reported crowds arriving before dawn and volunteers posted signs to cap lines.
  • Industry reporting says 2026 could be the final year for the gnome, a claim the club has not confirmed, and the course has added controls such as cutting lines and restricting pre‑6 a.m. parking.