Masters Leaderboard Tightens As Final Round Tee Times Announced
Masters Leaderboard Tightens As Final Round Tee Times Announced...
The 2026 Masters Tournament is heading into a dramatic final round at Augusta National, with tee times released Sunday morning as the leaderboard remains tightly contested. Golf fans across the U.S. are closely tracking updates after a weather-delayed third round reshaped the competition, leaving just three strokes separating the top five players.
World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler and rising star Ludvig Ã…berg will tee off in the final pairing at 2:45 p.m. ET, both sitting at 8-under par. They're trailed by Collin Morikawa (-7) and Max Homa (-6), setting up what analysts predict could be the closest Masters finish in a decade. The tournament's official app crashed briefly Sunday due to heavy traffic as fans scrambled for real-time updates.
Augusta National officials adjusted Sunday's schedule after Saturday play was suspended for nearly two hours due to thunderstorms. The compressed timeline means players will go off in threesomes from both the 1st and 10th tees, with the first groups starting at 10:15 a.m. ET. This marks only the third time in Masters history that such a format has been used for the final round.
Tiger Woods, who made his record 24th consecutive cut Friday, will begin his round at 12:35 p.m. ET alongside Jason Day and Tyrrell Hatton. The 50-year-old golf legend told reporters Sunday morning he's fighting through back stiffness but remains determined to compete. Woods currently sits at even par, eight shots off the lead.
Broadcast coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN before switching to CBS at 2 p.m. ET. Streaming options include Masters.com and the ESPN+ platform, where viewership has already surpassed 2025's numbers by 18%. The tournament's outcome could significantly impact the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings, with several contenders positioned to jump into the top 10.
Local businesses in Augusta, Georgia, report record crowds for Sunday, with many restaurants near the course fully booked through evening. Security has been visibly increased around the grounds following Friday's brief protest near the 16th hole. Tournament chairman Fred Ridley confirmed all final-round protocols remain in place despite the schedule changes.
Weather forecasts show sunny conditions with light winds, setting up ideal scoring opportunities for the leaders. The famed Amen Corner (holes 11-13) is expected to play particularly pivotal, with its water hazards and undulating greens often deciding Masters championships. Scheffler, the 2024 winner, told CBS he plans to "stay aggressive" despite the pressure of back-to-back titles.
Sportsbooks report heavy last-minute betting action, with Scheffler remaining the favorite at +150 odds. Several longshots including Sahith Theegala (+2500) and Cameron Smith (+3000) have seen significant wagers placed after their strong Saturday performances. The winner will take home $3.6 million from the record $20 million purse.
Augusta National's iconic green jacket ceremony is scheduled for approximately 7 p.m. ET, assuming no playoff is needed. The club has contingency plans for potential darkness delays, though officials express confidence the tournament will conclude Sunday. This marks the first April Masters since 2025 after two years of November scheduling due to prior calendar adjustments.
