Masters 2026 Tee Times Announced As Tournament Nears Climax
Masters 2026 Tee Times Announced As Tournament Nears Climax...
The 2026 Masters Tournament tee times were released early Saturday morning, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend at Augusta National. Golf fans across the U.S. are scrambling to adjust their viewing schedules as the final pairings feature a showdown between defending champion Scottie Scheffler and rising star Michael Thorbjornsen.
Tee times are trending today as the tournament enters its critical third round, with several marquee groups generating buzz. Scheffler and Thorbjornsen will begin at 2:45 PM ET, followed by Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland at 2:33 PM ET. The tight leaderboard has heightened interest in the groupings, with just three strokes separating the top eight players.
Augusta National officials adjusted the schedule due to forecasted afternoon thunderstorms, moving up start times by nearly two hours. This marks the first weather-related disruption at the Masters since 2023. Golf Channel and ESPN will provide live coverage beginning at 10:00 AM ET, with CBS taking over at 3:00 PM ET for the featured groups.
Social media erupted after the pairings were announced, with Scheffler-Thorbjornsen becoming the top trending golf topic on Twitter. The matchup pits the world No. 1 against the 24-year-old Stanford graduate who leads the PGA Tour in driving accuracy. Ticket resale prices for Saturday badges jumped 27% within hours of the tee time release.
Local businesses in Augusta reported increased foot traffic as fans arrived early to secure prime viewing spots. The famous par-3 16th hole is expected to be packed by noon, with spectators eager to watch the field navigate Amen Corner under pressure. Tournament organizers have deployed additional security and medical staff in anticipation of larger crowds.
Several players expressed surprise at the early start times during post-round interviews Friday evening. "We'll need to adjust our preparation routines," said Justin Thomas, who tees off at 1:51 PM ET. "But everyone faces the same conditions." Weather remains a wild card, with 15 mph winds predicted during the peak competition window.
The tee time announcement comes amid record-breaking television ratings for this year's Masters. Thursday's opening round drew 4.2 million viewers, the highest since 2018. Streaming numbers have increased 38% year-over-year, reflecting growing interest among younger demographics.
With $20 million in prize money at stake and the iconic green jacket awaiting the winner, all eyes turn to Augusta this afternoon. The adjusted schedule means East Coast viewers won't need to stay up late to catch the final putts, potentially boosting ratings further. Tournament leaders are expected to finish around 6:30 PM ET if weather holds.
