Masters Tee Times For Round 3 Set Amid Tight Leaderboard
The tee times for Saturday's third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament have been released, drawing intense interest as a crowded leaderboard sets the stage for a dramatic weekend at Augusta National. With just four strokes separating the top 15 players, fans are eagerly tracking when their favorites will begin play in one of golf's most pivotal rounds.
World No. 1 Jordan Spieth will tee off at 2:15 PM ET alongside rising star Tom Kim, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler starts at 2:45 PM with PGA Tour veteran Justin Thomas. The groupings reflect the tournament's razor-thin margins after Friday's play saw 12 players within three shots of co-leaders Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris.
Augusta National officials moved up Saturday's start times by 30 minutes due to forecasted afternoon thunderstorms, adding urgency to the day's proceedings. The weather uncertainty has amplified discussion around the pairings, particularly for late starters who may face deteriorating conditions.
ESPN's early coverage begins at 10 AM ET, with CBS taking over at 3 PM for the heart of the round. Digital platforms like Masters.com are experiencing heavy traffic as fans check exact tee times and plan their viewing schedules around the tournament's most consequential moving day.
The tight leaderboard has sparked debates among golf analysts about potential sleepers, with several players like Sam Burns (-6) and Max Homa (-5) positioned to make charges. Social media is buzzing with predictions after Friday's round saw seven different players hold at least a share of the lead.
Tiger Woods' 1:55 PM tee time remains a major draw following his gritty even-par performance Friday, keeping him in contention at 2-under for the tournament. The 50-year-old's pairing with young phenom Ludvig Aberg promises one of the day's most-watched groupings.
Merchandise sales at Augusta National reportedly surged Friday evening as patrons anticipate a historic weekend. The tournament's unique cut rule (top 50 plus ties) resulted in 58 players advancing, including 14 Masters rookies who will experience moving day pressure for the first time.
With $18 million in prize money at stake and a potential career-defining green jacket awaiting Sunday's winner, Saturday's tee times have taken on outsized importance. The compressed leaderboard ensures nearly every pairing features players separated by just one or two strokes, setting up critical head-to-head battles throughout the course.
