Masters Tee Times Released For Saturday's Critical Round
The 2026 Masters Tournament enters a pivotal Saturday with tee times now confirmed for the third round at Augusta National. Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for start times as the leaderboard tightens, with several top contenders within striking distance of the lead.
Tournament officials announced pairings late Friday evening following the completion of Round 2. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 2:45 PM ET alongside rising star Ludvig Ă…berg, who sits just two strokes back. Defending champion Jon Rahm starts at 2:25 PM with PGA Tour veteran Justin Thomas.
This year's Masters has drawn exceptional interest due to unusually close competition after 36 holes. Just five strokes separate the top 15 players, making Saturday's moving day potentially decisive. ESPN and CBS will provide live coverage starting at 3:00 PM ET.
Augusta National's weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with highs near 72°F, ideal scoring conditions that could lead to dramatic leaderboard changes. The tournament committee moved several tee times earlier by 15 minutes as a precaution against potential afternoon thunderstorms.
Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance at age 50, will begin his round at 1:05 PM ET after making the cut on the number. The five-time champion faces an uphill battle, starting the day nine shots behind leader Collin Morikawa, who tees off last at 2:55 PM.
Saturday's pairings reflect the tournament's international flavor, with players from eight countries represented in the final 12 groups. The diverse field includes first-time Masters participant Nick Dunlap, the 22-year-old amateur who will play alongside Hideki Matsuyama at 10:35 AM.
Golf analysts emphasize the importance of the front nine on Saturday, where several pivotal holes could determine who contends on Sunday. The famous Amen Corner (holes 11-13) plays significantly tougher in afternoon winds, adding pressure to early starters.
Augusta National members reported strong ticket demand for Saturday, with secondary market prices reaching $2,500 for practice round badges. The tournament's digital platforms saw record traffic Friday night as fans scrambled to plan their viewing schedules.
Several corporate hospitality suites have adjusted their schedules to accommodate the critical round. IBM, a longtime Masters partner, moved its executive event start time to ensure guests don't miss the featured pairings.
Local businesses in Augusta, Georgia, are preparing for their busiest weekend of the year. Restaurants along Washington Road have extended hours, while hotels report 98% occupancy through Sunday night. The economic impact for the region is estimated at over $120 million.
Sunday's final round tee times will be determined by Saturday's results, with leaders going off last in traditional Masters fashion. Tournament chairman Fred Ridley confirmed no format changes are planned despite the competitive leaderboard.
Golf fans can find complete tee times on the Masters official website and mobile app. Major sports networks will provide live updates throughout the day, with featured group coverage beginning at 10:15 AM ET on ESPN+.
