The latest edition of golf’s most pristine tournament gets going this weekThe Masters, the first major of the year, is arguably the most iconic golf event in the world, and that prestige is matched by the stunning settings.The lakes and ponds across Augusta National are something elseFrom the white bunkers to the absence of divots, the course at Augusta National is kept in perfect condition by the groundskeepers.Another striking characteristic is the clarity and shininess of the water.It appears to glisten in the sunshine, and there are a couple of reasons for that.How is the water at Augusta National so shiny?Well, it was revealed in 1996 that an American Golf Digest journalist took a sample from the water at the 15th hole at Augusta National to find out if there was anything untoward in it.Incredibly, his sample returned a positive match for a type of blue food dye.It is the type you would use in a cake as a food colouring.Other rumours say copper sulphate is added to the water to turn it blue.Of course, there has been no official confirmation from the course if they use anything like that in Rae’s Creek.And given the secrecy around other elements of the course, it is hard to see why they would ever reveal if that still happens.The water at Augusta National has been found to have dye in it beforeGettyThe Creek is a ten-mile stretch of water that flows its way through Augusta National, and it is a key part of the course.The suggestion that organisers put blue dye into it and other water bodies on the course shows how obsessed they are with ensuring everything is perfect.There are even suggestions that the grass is sometimes painted if there is a bad spot, while the sand is pure quartz to ensure it is pearly white.How to follow The MastersThe 2026 Masters Tournament get started on Thursday, April 9. It is being held at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and will end on Sunday, April 12.talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all the action, with the event also set to be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.Tune in to talkSPORT through the website via the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.Subscribe to our talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.