Masters 2026 Coverage Start Time: When To Watch Today
Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for today's Masters Tournament coverage start time as the 2026 event enters its pivotal weekend. ESPN and CBS will broadcast live from Augusta National Golf Club, with early coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET and featured group action starting at 11:30 a.m. ET.
The tournament is trending today as defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters Saturday's round just two strokes off the lead. Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, also remains in contention after surviving Friday's cut.
Saturday's third-round coverage follows an unusual schedule due to weather delays earlier in the week. ESPN airs the early window from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, with CBS taking over from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Streaming options include Masters.com, ESPN+, and Paramount+.
Augusta National officials moved up tee times to avoid potential afternoon thunderstorms. The decision creates a compressed viewing schedule that has fans checking start times more frequently than usual.
Viewership is expected to surge today as weekend crowds arrive in Augusta and home audiences tune in. The Masters consistently ranks as golf's highest-rated event, with last year's final round drawing 12 million viewers.
Key storylines include Scheffler's bid for a third green jacket and Woods' attempt to become the oldest Masters champion at age 50. Rising stars like Ludvig Ã…berg and Will Zalatoris are also within striking distance of the lead.
For mobile viewers, the Masters app provides live streams of featured groups, Amen Corner coverage, and select holes. The tournament's limited commercial breaks make timing particularly important for fans who want to catch every shot.
Today's coverage marks the first weekend round since Augusta National's controversial 13th hole redesign, which has already impacted players' strategies. The 35-yard lengthening of the famous par-5 has produced more dramatic risk-reward scenarios.
With ideal scoring conditions expected this afternoon, golf analysts predict low scores could shake up the leaderboard before Sunday's finale. The tournament concludes tomorrow with final-round coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET on CBS.
