Mark Calcavecchia, a 13-time PGA Tour winner and 1989 British Open Champion, was suddenly whisked away from the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club after an alleged violation of one of the hallowed golf club’s biggest no-nos.
According to Golfweek, Calcavecchia was taken out of Augusta National Golf Club by security on Tuesday for using his cell phone.
Mark Calcavecchia was removed from the 90th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club for violating the tournament's no-phone policy. https://t.co/4Uu8RHdvFR
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) April 9, 2026
Augusta’s strict “no phone” policy is clearly communicated at the gate and actually enforced once inside the gates — and is enforced even for the golfers, not just patrons.
When reached for comment, Calcavecchia declined to criticize the club and shut the conversation down before it went any further.
“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” Calcavecchia told Golfweek.
Augusta National Golf Club has not publicly commented on the report.
Calcavecchia played in the Masters 18 times during his career and finished as the runner-up in 1988.
However, Tuesday’s incident wasn’t the first time that a former pro was removed from the grounds for violating the cell phone ban.
Former tour player and Golf Channel broadcaster Charlie Rymer was caught using his phone and kicked out in 2011.
Rymer was credentialed to cover the Masters for Westwood One radio when he exited the media center to talk on his phone.
After being caught by security, Rymer reportedly broke into tears, but security was unmoved by the situation and still forced him to leave.
Last year, Arizona State University men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond was removed from Augusta National for violating another one of the club’s strict rules.
Thurmond went to say hello to former ASU golfer Kevin Yu and was removed for wearing shorts on the course.
Along with the cell phone ban, there are additional, strict rules that will get folks banned from Augusta National, including wearing socks to dinner.
Additionally, pairing the green jacket with jeans and sitting on the range are both prohibited.
Consider those hard rules a small price to pay for being at one of the world’s most sought-after sporting events.