Jason Day Is Ruffling Feathers at the 2026 Masters With His Bold Malbon Golf Outfits
For the second time in two years, Augusta National has asked Jason Day to tone down his outfit before the Masters even begins.
The 38-year-old golfer’s 2026 wardrobe features Malbon Golf’s “Birds of Georgia” collection — a bird-themed print spanning shirts, vests and a coat that tournament organizers have already asked him to scale back.
Day debuted the look during a Monday practice round, but the outfit had to be altered prior to stepping foot on the course.
The original script included a matching bird-print top and pants, but Augusta National nixed the pants and requested that Day wear solid pants instead.
Jason Day Has a History With Masters Outfits
This isn’t the first time Day has drawn scrutiny from Masters organizers. At the 2024 Masters Tournament, Day showed up wearing baggy pants and a loud sweater vest reading “No. 313. Malbon Golf Championship.”
The outfit was designed by Malbon Golf, a lifestyle brand that had signed Day earlier that year. Tournament organizers asked the golfer to do away with the vest for the rest of the tournament.
“I think I’m on the short list of guys that have to send their scripting in now. I get it. It was a little bit much on Thursday,” he said at the time, per ESPN.
What Is Malbon Golf’s ‘Birds of Georgia’ Collection?
On April 2, Golf.com shared a photo of Day’s full 2026 Masters script, inspired by the “Birds of Georgia” collection.
The collection draws from the many birds found at Augusta National. The print features:
- Scarlet tanagers, orioles and eastern bluebirds
- Cardinals, blue jays and golden finches
- Red-headed woodpeckers, noted as a war symbol of the Georgia-native Cherokee tribe
Day’s outfits for the week include shirts, vests and a coat in the bird print. The Wednesday vest is fashioned after a birding jacket, complete with a pocket for binoculars.
What Does Malbon’s Co-Founder Say About the Collection?
Stephen Malbon, the brand’s co-founder, told Sports Illustrated the collection connects golf to the natural world.
“If you are on the course and you are tuned in with nature and know the sounds of birds, you’ll make more birdies,” Malbon said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
Malbon’s broader goal is to make golf more inclusive by mixing cultural touchstones with the sport and lowering the entry barrier.
“It’s O.K. if you like to go birding or fishing or hunting or working out or skiing, and you also like playing golf,” Malbon said.
“Prior to us, there haven’t been many brands that said it’s O.K. to have multiple loves in your life, from your family to your hobbies to your sports. We’re giving people permission to be who they are and be proud of who they are on the golf course and off it,” he added.
Who Else Is Wearing Malbon Golf at the 2026 Masters?
Day isn’t the only golfer in the bird print. Sungjae Im, who will make his sixth straight Masters start on Thursday, will also wear the collection.
Malbon Golf also sponsors Fred Couples, who became the oldest player to make the Masters cut in 2023 at age 63. Anthony Kim recently joined the brand as an ambassador.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
