Masters Tee Times Released As Final Round Begins At Augusta
The 2026 Masters Tournament reaches its climax today, with tee times for the final round at Augusta National now confirmed. Golf fans across the U.S. are eagerly tracking the pairings as the leaders prepare for a dramatic Sunday showdown. The tournament's tight leaderboard has kept interest high, with several top players within striking distance of the green jacket.
Tiger Woods, making a remarkable comeback at age 50, will tee off at 2:15 PM ET alongside rising star Michael Thorbjornsen. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler starts at 2:45 PM ET, just one group behind current leader Jon Rahm. The Spaniard holds a one-shot advantage heading into Sunday's action.
Augusta National officials moved up tee times due to forecasted afternoon thunderstorms in Georgia. The earlier schedule means CBS's broadcast will begin at 1:00 PM ET instead of the traditional 2:00 PM start. This weather-driven adjustment has increased fan interest in specific player groupings and their revised start times.
Sunday at the Masters always draws massive U.S. television audiences, but this year's competitive field has generated exceptional engagement. Google search traffic for "Masters tee times" spiked 320% overnight as fans plan their viewing schedules. The tournament's official app has seen record downloads this week.
Several compelling storylines emerge from today's pairings. Woods seeks his sixth green jacket 24 years after his first Masters victory. Rahm aims to become just the fourth player to win multiple Masters before age 32. Scheffler could join Woods and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back champions in the past 35 years.
Augusta National's iconic back nine typically decides the tournament, with Amen Corner (holes 11-13) serving as the traditional turning point. Today's earlier start means the critical stretch will unfold during peak viewing hours for East Coast audiences. Tournament officials hope to complete play before severe weather arrives around 6:00 PM ET.
The Masters remains the most-watched golf tournament in America, with last year's final round drawing 12.1 million viewers. This year's dramatic leaderboard and Woods' presence have sports networks anticipating even higher ratings. ESPN's SportsCenter will provide live updates throughout the day before CBS takes over coverage.
Fans attending in person face new security measures implemented after yesterday's minor protest near the 16th hole. Augusta National has banned all bags and increased police presence while maintaining the tournament's traditional atmosphere. Gates opened at 8:00 AM ET with patrons already forming large crowds around the practice areas.
Digital platforms are experiencing heavy traffic as fans check real-time leaderboards and watch featured group coverage. Masters.com reports its livestreams have surpassed 2025's total views with one round remaining. The tournament's decision to allow phone use on course (in silent mode) has also changed how spectators experience the event.
Today's final round concludes a Masters week that saw record merchandise sales and hospitality demand. The economic impact on Augusta, Georgia typically exceeds $120 million during tournament week. Local businesses report stronger than expected crowds despite higher ticket prices on the secondary market.
As players begin arriving at the course, all eyes turn to the famed scoreboard near the first tee. The Masters doesn't use traditional tee time sheets, instead posting pairings on handwritten boards - a tradition dating to 1934. This morning's updates confirmed the dream final group of Rahm, Scheffler and Will Zalatoris at 2:35 PM ET.
