The long-running Masters gnome mystery has taken another turn, with Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley saying he has still not been told whether the popular ornaments will continue to be sold beyond 2026.
Ridley, speaking during his annual Masters media address, was asked about reports that 2026 could be the final year the gnomes are available. The question, described by the interviewer as a “trivial” one, prompted a direct response from the chairman.
“Number one, the question is not trivial,” Ridley said. “Number two: I’ve been asking that question for several years and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”
His comments suggest that even Augusta National’s chairman is not being given clarity about the future of one of the tournament’s more unusual and sought-after merchandise items. The secrecy around the gnomes appears to extend well beyond the club’s customers and into its own leadership.
The annual Masters gnome has become a talking point in its own right, with collectors and patrons often treating the ornament as a must-have souvenir from Augusta National. That has only increased interest in speculation that 2026 may be their last year on sale.
Ridley’s reply added to the intrigue rather than settling it. He made clear that the question has been asked internally for years, but he is still waiting for an answer. For now, the club’s position on the ornaments remains undisclosed.
The moment provided a light but notable diversion during an otherwise routine media appearance, showing how even a seemingly small piece of Masters tradition can generate plenty of attention. At Augusta, even the fate of the gnomes is treated with a degree of mystery.
