The relationship between the Masters Tournament and Easter Sunday is a topic of interest for golf enthusiasts and those planning to attend or watch the event.
Quick Answer: The Masters Tournament does not always fall on Easter Sunday. While the event is traditionally held in early April, Easter’s variable date means it only occasionally coincides with the tournament.
In the past 10 years, Easter and The Masters only coincided 3 times.
Is the Masters Always on Easter?
Understanding the scheduling of the Masters Tournament in relation to Easter Sunday requires a look at the traditions and scheduling criteria of both.
Historical Scheduling of the Masters
The Masters, one of golf’s four major championships, has been traditionally held in the first full week of April.
Easter Sunday’s Variable Date
Easter’s date changes yearly, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox.
Co-occurrence of the Events
Below is a table showing how often and in which years the Masters has coincided with Easter Sunday:
| ear | Masters on Easter Sunday | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Yes | Easter was on April 8; Masters ended on April 8 |
| 2013 | No | Easter was on March 31; Masters ended on April 14 |
| 2014 | No | Easter was on April 20; Masters ended on April 13 |
| 2015 | Yes | Easter was on April 5; Masters ended on April 12 |
| 2016 | No | Easter was on March 27; Masters ended on April 10 |
| 2017 | No | Easter was on April 16; Masters ended on April 9 |
| 2018 | Yes | Easter was on April 1; Masters ended on April 8 |
| 2019 | Yes | Easter coincided on April 21; Masters ended on April 14 |
| 2020 | No | Easter was on April 12; Masters postponed to November due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | No | Easter was on April 4; Masters ended on April 11 |
| 2022 | No | Easter was on April 17; Masters ended on April 10 |
| 2023 | Yes | Easter was on April 9; Masters ended on April 9 |
*Note: This table illustrates the sporadic alignment of the Masters Tournament with Easter Sunday, underscoring its infrequency.
Factors Influencing the Scheduling
The Masters’ schedule is primarily determined by golf season logistics, independent of Easter’s varying date.
Planning for Viewers and Attendees
For those planning to attend or watch the Masters, understanding this scheduling variability is key to avoid assuming it always aligns with Easter.
In conclusion, while the Masters Tournament traditionally takes place in early April, its occurrence on Easter Sunday is not a given and happens only occasionally. This variability is due to the difference in scheduling criteria for the two events: the Masters follows a fixed seasonal schedule, while Easter’s date changes annually based on the lunar calendar. For golf fans and potential attendees, this means checking the dates for each year is essential to avoid confusion and ensure accurate planning.