Masters 2026 First Round Tee Times: When Play Begins Today

The 2026 Masters Tournament begins Thursday morning at Augusta National Golf Club, with tee times starting at 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 perfect Georgia spring conditions.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler headlines the morning groups, teeing off at 10:42 AM ET alongside Rory McIlroy and rising star Tom Kim. Tiger Woods begins his latest Masters quest at 1:24 PM ET, drawing intense spectator interest as he aims for a record-tying sixth green jacket.

ESPN will broadcast live coverage from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET, with featured group streaming available earlier via Masters.com and the official app. Morning fog delayed practice rounds earlier this week, but tournament officials confirm no weather disruptions are expected for Thursday's opening round.

The Masters always generates strong search interest, but today's queries spiked as East Coast viewers plan lunchtime viewing and West Coast fans set early alarms. Corporate offices nationwide are bracing for distracted employees as golf's most prestigious event unfolds.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley announced several course changes for this year's tournament, including lengthened holes and adjusted pin positions. These modifications could impact scoring as players navigate the iconic azalea-lined fairways under tournament pressure for the first time.

Notable early groups include Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa teeing off at 9:12 AM ET, while LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson play together at 1:48 PM ET. The diverse pairings reflect golf's ongoing reconciliation between PGA Tour and LIV players competing under one roof at Augusta.