Forget the green jacket for a moment—this year at Augusta National, the hottest item isn't a piece of clothing you can wear, but a 13 1/2-inch piece of memorabilia you can display. The Masters gnome has become a must-have collectible, sparking a fervor that rivals the tournament's famous Amen Corner drama.

Just ask John James from Wyckoff, New Jersey, who arrived at the gates a full hour before they opened for the 90th Masters with one singular mission: to secure one of these coveted figures. "Had to have one," James said, echoing the sentiment of countless patrons. "It's a novelty." That novelty, however, carries significant weight, as speculation swirls that 2026 could mark the final year of production for these limited-edition pieces.

This year's model, the tenth in the series, features the classic white-bearded gnome dressed in impeccable golf attire: khaki pants, a white-and-green striped polo, and a sharp blue vest. He's prepared for any weather, holding an umbrella in one hand and a Masters-themed cup in the other. Each annual iteration is unique, making the complete set a holy grail for collectors.

Their popularity has skyrocketed over the past decade, transforming them from simple souvenirs into valuable assets. With only about 1,000 gnomes available each day of the tournament, they consistently sell out within an hour, creating a frantic early-morning scramble at the merchandise shops. This scarcity has turned them into the ultimate symbol of Masters fandom—a tangible piece of Augusta's history and exclusivity that fans are desperate to own, especially with the potential curtain call on the horizon.