Masters 2026 Tee Times: When First Round Begins Today
Masters 2026 Tee Times: When First Round Begins Today...
The 2026 Masters Tournament begins Thursday morning at Augusta National Golf Club, with the first tee times set for 8:00 AM ET. Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for start times as the year's first major championship kicks off under clear Georgia skies.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler headlines the field, teeing off at 10:42 AM ET alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in one of the day's featured pairings. Tiger Woods, making his 28th Masters appearance, begins his quest for a sixth green jacket at 1:24 PM ET.
The tournament is trending nationwide as offices and sports bars adjust schedules for the iconic event. Many workplaces traditionally allow early viewing of Thursday's opening round, while schools in some Southern states incorporate Masters history into classroom activities.
Augusta National's gates opened at 7:00 AM ET, with patrons lining up for prime viewing spots at Amen Corner and the 18th green. CBS Sports begins its coverage at 3:00 PM ET, though ESPN+ will stream featured groups starting at 8:15 AM ET.
This year's Masters holds special significance as the club celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first female members being admitted. Tournament chairman Fred Ridley will address this milestone during today's opening ceremonies at 7:50 AM ET.
Weather forecasts show ideal conditions for scoring, with temperatures reaching 78°F and light winds. The dry conditions could lead to faster greens than usual, potentially challenging players accustomed to Augusta's traditional moisture levels.
Local businesses in Augusta report record merchandise sales, with this year's commemorative hats and polo shirts featuring a special anniversary logo. The economic impact on the city is estimated at over $120 million for the tournament week.
Fans without tickets can follow the action through Masters.com's live streaming, which includes four separate channels of coverage. The service saw record traffic during Wednesday's Par 3 Contest, suggesting heightened interest in this year's event.
