Masters Tee Times Released As Golf's Top Stars Prepare For Augusta
Masters Tee Times Released As Golfs Top Stars Prepare For Augusta...
The 2026 Masters Tournament tee times were unveiled Thursday morning, setting the stage for golf's most prestigious event at Augusta National. With first-round play beginning April 10, the pairings reveal has sparked intense interest among fans and analysts.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 10:42 AM ET alongside rising star Ludvig Ă…berg and 2023 winner Jon Rahm. Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, drew a marquee 1:24 PM ET slot with Jason Day and Max Homa.
The tee sheet announcement comes as Augusta National undergoes final preparations for record crowds. Tournament officials confirmed over 40,000 daily spectators will attend, with millions more watching the CBS broadcast.
Early betting favorites Scheffler (+400) and Rory McIlroy (+800) were placed in favorable morning groups to avoid potential afternoon winds. McIlroy's quest for the career Grand Slam begins at 9:48 AM ET with Hideki Matsuyama and Will Zalatoris.
Notable pairings include Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland (10:18 AM ET), while LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were grouped together at 1:48 PM ET in a potential ratings draw.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed ideal playing conditions are expected through Sunday, with temperatures in the mid-70s and minimal rain forecast. The club's famed azaleas are reportedly at peak bloom following an unusually warm March.
Tee times dominate sports conversations as office pools and fantasy golf leagues finalize picks. ESPN reported a 210% increase in Masters-related searches since Wednesday, with “tee times” becoming the top golf trending topic on Twitter.
Secondary market prices for Thursday practice round tickets spiked 35% after the pairings announcement, according to TickPick. The most expensive resale badge currently lists at $2,850 for Sunday's final round.
CBS Sports will broadcast featured group coverage beginning at 8:15 AM ET Thursday, with ESPN airing early round telecasts. Masters.com continues offering its popular four-channel streaming coverage with optional shot-tracer technology.
Augusta National's strict cell phone policy remains in effect, though the club has expanded its complimentary device-check stations. New for 2026 are AI-powered leaderboards that adjust predictions based on real-time weather and player performance data.
