Masters 2026 Featured Groups Announced As Tournament Nears
Masters 2026 Featured Groups Announced As Tournament Nears...
The 2026 Masters Tournament featured groups were revealed Thursday morning, sparking immediate buzz among golf fans. Augusta National Golf Club confirmed the marquee pairings for the first two rounds, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler headlining the most-watched group.
Scheffler will play alongside rising star Ludvig Åberg and 2025 PGA Championship winner Viktor Hovland in Thursday's opening round. Tournament officials placed three-time Masters winner Jordan Spieth with Rory McIlroy, who continues his quest for the career Grand Slam.
These pairings matter because they determine when and how fans can watch golf's biggest stars during the tournament's opening days. ESPN and CBS will broadcast the featured groups live, with streaming available on Masters.com and the ESPN+ platform.
The announcement comes as ticket prices for practice rounds hit record highs this week. Secondary market prices for Wednesday's Par 3 Contest exceeded $1,200 per ticket, reflecting intense interest in seeing these players up close.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley emphasized the pairings reflect both competitive balance and fan appeal. "We want to create compelling viewing experiences while maintaining the integrity of competition," Ridley told reporters.
Other notable groupings include Tiger Woods playing with Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young. Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, drew the largest gallery during Monday's practice session.
The featured groups trended nationally as golf fans debated the pairings on social media. Many noted the potential rivalry between Scheffler and Hovland, who have traded victories in recent majors.
Tournament play begins Thursday morning under sunny Georgia skies, with temperatures expected in the mid-70s. The Masters remains the most-watched golf event in America, drawing over 10 million viewers for last year's final round.
Featured group tee times will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. CBS will air weekend coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
