The body of the Masters rules committee chairman is found in a pond near the 12th green on the morning that Sam Skarda arrives at Augusta National Golf Club to play in his first Masters. Skarda, a police detective on medical leave from the Minneapolis police department, is an accomplished amateur golfer who - while rehabbing a shooting injury suffered on the job - won the U.S. Publinx and an invitation to play in the Masters. Evidence left at the crime scene suggests the murder might have been tied to the ongoing protest by a women's group demanding that Augusta admit women members. Then a crusading New York Times columnist is murdered on the grounds two days later. Local police suspect the murders might have been committed by a member and begin pressuring the new Augusta National president for access to the club's membership information. The club chairman asks Skarda for help finding the killer before the police thoroughly invade Augusta National's legendary privacy. Skarda looks for answers from members, veteran journalists, longtime caddies and ex-employees who may know why someone is determined to bring this year's Masters to a halt. As the murders continue and pressure to cancel the tournament builds, the killer methodically prepares for a spectacular and deadly Sunday climax.