The Masters 2026 first-round tee times, pairings, groups for Thursday

When and how to watch the opening round of the 2026 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the opening round of the 2026 Masters golf tournament, with overlapping planes of green fairways, white bunkers, and colorful player silhouettes.The opening round of the 2026 Masters golf tournament promises an explosive start to the prestigious major championship.Augusta Today

The first round of the 2026 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia will tee off on Thursday, April 9, 2026. This article provides the full list of tee times, pairings, and groups for the opening round of the prestigious major championship.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most highly anticipated events in the golf calendar, drawing the top players in the world to compete at the iconic Augusta National course. The first-round tee times and pairings set the stage for the tournament and give fans a preview of the potential storylines and matchups to follow over the four days of competition.

The details

The first tee time for the opening round of the 2026 Masters is scheduled for 8:00 AM MST (11:00 AM EST). Groups will tee off in 10-minute intervals, with the final group going off at 2:00 PM MST (5:00 PM EST). Notable pairings include defending champion Scottie Scheffler playing alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, who are among the pre-tournament favorites.

  • The 2026 Masters tournament will take place from April 9-12, 2026.
  • The first round is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Scottie Scheffler

The defending Masters champion, who won his first major title in 2025.

Bryson DeChambeau

A long-hitting American golfer who is one of the pre-tournament favorites to win the 2026 Masters.

Jon Rahm

A Spanish professional golfer who is also among the top contenders for the 2026 Masters title.

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What they’re saying

“The first round of the Masters is always full of excitement and anticipation as the world's best golfers begin their quest for the green jacket.”

— Jeremy Cluff, Sports Reporter

What’s next

Fans can follow the live coverage of the first round of the 2026 Masters on Thursday, April 9, with television coverage on Amazon Prime Video starting at 11:00 AM EST.

The takeaway

The opening round of the 2026 Masters promises to be a thrilling start to the tournament, with a star-studded field of golfers vying for the prestigious green jacket at Augusta National.