Masters 2026 First Round Tees Off Thursday Morning At Augusta
Masters 2026 First Round Tees Off Thursday Morning At Augusta...
The 90th Masters Tournament begins Thursday, April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club, with the first groups teeing off at 8:00 AM ET. Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for start times as the season's first major championship returns to its traditional April slot after weather delays pushed last year's event into May.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will headline the field alongside recent PGA Tour winners Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Tournament organizers confirmed Wednesday that all players will wear green-and-white caddie uniforms in honor of the late Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, who passed away last month.
Morning tee times feature marquee pairings including Tiger Woods playing with rising star Tom Kim at 10:18 AM ET. ESPN will broadcast early-round coverage starting at 8:00 AM ET Thursday, with CBS taking over weekend coverage. The Masters app provides live streaming of featured groups and Amen Corner.
Augusta National expects near-perfect conditions with sunny skies and highs near 75°F for the opening round. The tournament committee moved several tee boxes forward to encourage aggressive play, responding to criticism about last year's high scores. Patrons began lining up at the gates before dawn Thursday, with many hoping to secure prime viewing spots at the 12th hole.
This year's Masters holds particular significance as the first since the PGA Tour and LIV Golf finalized their merger agreement. Twelve LIV golfers received invitations, including past champions Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Security has been increased around the course following online threats related to the ongoing golf division tensions.
Local businesses in Augusta report record reservations this week, with hotels at 98% occupancy. The tournament generates an estimated $120 million annually for Georgia's economy. Tournament chairman Fred Ridley will address media Thursday afternoon regarding potential changes to the Masters qualification criteria for 2027.
