Masters Friday Tee Times Announced As Tournament Heats Up
Masters Friday Tee Times Announced As Tournament Heats Up...
The 2026 Masters Tournament enters its second round Friday at Augusta National, with tee times now confirmed for the world's top golfers. The pairings, released late Thursday, set the stage for a dramatic day as players jockey for position heading into the weekend.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 10:48 AM ET alongside rising star Ludvig Ã…berg and 2021 winner Hideki Matsuyama. Tournament favorite Rory McIlroy, seeking his first green jacket, starts at 1:36 PM ET with Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka in a marquee grouping.
Friday's weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures, ideal scoring conditions that could lead to movement on the leaderboard. Several big names, including Tiger Woods at +3 and Jordan Spieth at +1, need strong rounds to make the projected cut line of +4.
The tee sheet reveals several compelling storylines. Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, goes off at 9:12 AM ET with Jason Day and Max Homa. Meanwhile, fan favorite Phil Mickelson starts at 12:24 PM ET alongside fellow LIV Golf players Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
Viewing options include ESPN's live coverage from 3-7:30 PM ET and featured group streaming on Masters.com. The tournament is trending nationally as golf fans plan their viewing schedules and workplaces brace for distracted employees during afternoon coverage.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed Thursday that the course will play at 7,555 yards, with the par-3 12th hole's treacherous winds expected to factor heavily in Friday's action. The iconic Amen Corner (holes 11-13) could prove decisive as players navigate the tournament's midway point.
Friday's round holds particular significance this year with the Masters implementing a new cut rule: only the top 50 players (including ties) will advance, eliminating the previous 10-shot rule. This change adds urgency for bubble players like Justin Thomas (+2) and Collin Morikawa (+3).
Corporate interest remains high, with ticket resale prices for Friday's round averaging $1,850 on secondary markets. Local Augusta businesses report record merchandise sales, particularly of the tournament's signature pimento cheese sandwiches and Masters-branded apparel.
The tee time announcement comes as golf enjoys unprecedented popularity in the U.S., with NBC reporting a 22% increase in early-round Masters viewership compared to 2025. Sportsbooks indicate heavy betting action on Friday's matchups, with Scheffler and McIlroy remaining the favorites at most books.
