Masters First Tee Time Delayed Due To Weather At Augusta National

Masters First Tee Time Delayed Due To Weather At Augusta National...

The 2026 Masters Tournament faced an unexpected delay Thursday morning as heavy rain and thunderstorms pushed back the first tee time at Augusta National. Tournament officials announced a two-hour postponement, with play now set to begin at 9:30 AM ET instead of the originally scheduled 7:30 AM start.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler was among the players affected by the weather disruption. The delay marks the first weather-related postponement at the Masters since 2023, when similar conditions caused a 90-minute delay during the second round.

Augusta National's grounds crew worked quickly to prepare the course after nearly an inch of rain fell overnight. The famous greens required extra attention to maintain their tournament-fast conditions despite the moisture.

Television coverage on ESPN will now begin at 10:00 AM ET, with featured group coverage starting at 11:45 AM. The delay creates scheduling challenges for later rounds, as afternoon thunderstorms remain in the forecast.

Tickets holders lined up outside the gates hours before dawn, with many wearing ponchos and carrying umbrellas. Security staff distributed rain checks to patrons as they entered the course.

The weather delay comes at a crucial moment for golf fans, as this year's tournament features one of the most competitive fields in recent Masters history. Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, is scheduled to tee off at 1:24 PM ET if conditions permit.

Tournament chairman Fred Ridley told reporters the committee would monitor conditions throughout the day. "The safety of our players and patrons remains our top priority," Ridley said. "We're optimistic we can complete the first round today."

This story is trending nationally as millions of golf fans adjust their viewing plans for one of sports' most prestigious events. The Masters typically draws over 10 million viewers for its opening round coverage.

Mobile alerts from ESPN and the Masters app notified subscribers of the delay around 6:15 AM ET. Social media reaction showed mixed responses, with some fans disappointed by the wait while others appreciated the extra time to prepare viewing parties.

Augusta National's weather policy allows for suspension of play due to dangerous conditions, including lightning within 10 miles of the course. The last complete rainout at the Masters occurred in 1983, when the first round was postponed entirely.