Masters Tee Times Announced As Tournament Nears Final Round
Masters Tee Times Announced As Tournament Nears Final Round...
The 2026 Masters Tournament has released tee times for Saturday's pivotal third round, drawing intense interest from golf fans nationwide. With the leaderboard tightly contested, players like defending champion Scottie Scheffler and rising star Ludvig Ã…berg are set for crucial pairings at Augusta National.
Tee times begin at 9:45 AM ET, with the final group of co-leaders scheduled for 2:45 PM. ESPN will broadcast early coverage starting at 10 AM, followed by CBS at 3 PM. The tournament is trending as Americans tune in to see if Scheffler can secure back-to-back green jackets.
Augusta National's weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and mild winds, ideal conditions for low scoring. Tournament officials moved up start times by 30 minutes due to potential afternoon thunderstorms. This marks the first weather-related adjustment this year.
Fan favorites Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will play together at 1:30 PM, ensuring strong TV ratings. Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, sits just four strokes off the lead. McIlroy needs a win to complete the career Grand Slam.
Local ticket prices have surged to $2,800 for Saturday badges, according to secondary market data. Hospitality packages sold out months in advance, reflecting pent-up demand after last year's rain-shortened event. The Masters remains the toughest ticket in sports.
Viewership is expected to surpass 2025's numbers, with streaming options expanding through ESPN+ and Paramount+. CBS Sports reported record traffic to its Masters hub following Friday's dramatic finish featuring three hole-outs from the bunker on 18.
Security remains tight following last year's protest incident on the 13th hole. Augusta National has doubled its private security presence while maintaining the tournament's signature low-key atmosphere. No major disruptions have been reported this week.
The tee time announcement comes as golf's governing bodies debate potential rule changes to address distance gains. Many players have commented this week that Augusta's lengthened 11th and 15th holes are playing as true par-5s again after recent modifications.
With $18 million in prize money at stake, including $3.24 million for the winner, Saturday's moving day could determine who dons the green jacket Sunday evening. The final pairing's 2:45 PM start gives East Coast viewers prime afternoon viewing.
