The azaleas are in bloom, the pimento cheese sandwiches are ready, and the most hallowed ground in golf is once again center stage. The 2026 Masters Tournament has arrived, and Augusta National Golf Club is preparing to crown another champion worthy of the iconic Green Jacket.

Round 1 begins today, kicking off four days of drama, brilliance, and heartbreak on what many consider golf’s greatest stage. Whether you’re a die-hard fan who watches every shot or a casual viewer who tunes in for the back nine on Sunday, here’s everything you need to know about the Masters Tournament as it gets underway.

The Tournament That Defines Golf

The Masters isn’t just another tournament on the PGA Tour calendar—it’s the tournament. Since 1934, when Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts founded what would become golf’s most prestigious event, the Masters has represented the pinnacle of the sport.

Played annually at Augusta National in Georgia, the tournament is the first major championship of the year and the only major played at the same course every year. This consistency has created a cathedral-like atmosphere where history echoes through the pine trees and past champions walk the same fairways as first-time competitors.

“A tradition unlike any other” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the truth.

Who’s Teeing Off: The Field

The 2026 Masters field brings together the world’s best golfers, from rising stars to seasoned veterans chasing one more Green Jacket. While the Masters maintains one of the smallest fields in professional golf—typically around 90 players compared to 156 at most PGA Tour events—the quality is unmatched.

Defending champion status belongs to last year’s winner, who will be hoping to join the elite club of back-to-back Masters champions—a feat last accomplished by Tiger Woods in 2001-2002.

Among the favorites this year are perennial contenders who know Augusta National’s treacherous greens and unforgiving rough like the back of their hands. Past champions return with the experience and confidence that only comes from having already conquered this course, while young guns arrive hungry to make their mark on golf history.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy (still chasing that elusive Masters win to complete the career Grand Slam), Jon Rahm, and other top-ranked players will be under intense scrutiny as they navigate the first round.

The Amateurs to Watch

The Masters has always maintained a special relationship with amateur golf, inviting the U.S. Amateur champion, British Amateur champion, and other top amateurs to compete alongside the professionals.

These young players often provide some of the tournament’s most compelling storylines. Who can forget Tiger Woods playing as an amateur before turning pro and dominating the game? Or more recently, amateur competitors making the cut and earning the low amateur honors?

This year’s amateur field includes promising young talents who dream of one day returning to Augusta as professionals—and champions.

Round 1 Tee Times: When the Action Begins

The first round typically begins early in the morning, with tee times staggered to allow all competitors to complete 18 holes before darkness falls over Augusta.

Early morning groups (approximately 8:00 AM ET start) usually feature a mix of amateurs, past champions, and players who earned their invitation through various qualifying criteria. These groups often play in relative calm before the Georgia heat intensifies.

Mid-morning to early afternoon groups (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET) include many of the tournament favorites and marquee pairings that draw the largest galleries and television audiences.

Late afternoon groups (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET) will finish under pressure as the sun begins to set, potentially facing tricky wind conditions that pick up later in the day at Augusta.

The Masters website provides real-time tee times and pairings, allowing fans to follow their favorite players throughout the day.

The Betting Odds: Who the Bookmakers Favor

While golf purists may cringe at the commercialization of their beloved sport, betting odds provide an interesting snapshot of who the experts believe has the best chance of slipping on the Green Jacket come Sunday evening.

Top favorites typically include the world’s top-ranked players, recent major champions, and golfers who have performed well at Augusta in previous years. Course history matters immensely at the Masters—players who understand Augusta’s subtleties hold a significant advantage.

Mid-range odds often go to talented players who haven’t quite broken through at a major but possess the skills to contend, as well as past Masters champions who might be slightly past their prime but know how to win at Augusta.

Long shots include younger players making their Masters debut, veterans looking for one last hurrah, and players who simply haven’t shown recent form but could get hot for four days.

Historical note: the Masters has seen its share of surprise winners over the years, proving that Augusta National can humble favorites and elevate underdogs in equal measure.

Expert Predictions: What the Analysts Are Saying

Golf analysts and former champions have weighed in with their predictions for the 2026 Masters, and opinions vary widely—as they should for a tournament as unpredictable as this one.

Common themes in predictions include:

Course knowledge is critical: Players who have competed at Augusta multiple times and understand the speed and break of the greens hold a massive advantage. First-timers often struggle simply because there’s no way to prepare for Augusta’s unique challenges without experiencing them firsthand.

Putting will decide the tournament: As the saying goes, “You drive for show, but putt for dough.” Nowhere is this truer than at Augusta, where the lightning-fast, severely sloped greens can make or break a round. Players who get hot with the putter tend to contend; those who struggle on the greens quickly fade.

Weather will play a factor: Spring weather in Georgia can be unpredictable. Wind, rain, and temperature swings can dramatically change course conditions from one day to the next, rewarding players who can adapt quickly.

Experience under pressure matters: The Masters is unique in that the back nine on Sunday has broken more hearts than perhaps any stretch of golf in the world. Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, and 13) has ended countless dreams, while the par-5 15th has offered salvation to those brave—or desperate—enough to go for the green in two.

How to Watch: Your Viewing Guide

For American audiences, CBS Sports and ESPN share broadcast duties, with extensive coverage beginning early in Round 1 and continuing through the final putt on Sunday.

Traditional TV coverage typically begins mid-morning and continues through the afternoon, showcasing featured groups and key moments as they unfold.

Streaming options have expanded dramatically in recent years. The Masters app and Masters.com offer featured group coverage, allowing fans to follow specific players throughout their entire round. Paramount+ also streams coverage for subscribers.

International viewers can check their local sports networks, as the Masters is broadcast in nearly every country around the world. The tournament’s global appeal has only grown over the years, with fans from Europe to Asia to Australia tuning in to watch.

Radio coverage remains popular for fans who want to listen while working or driving, with Masters Radio providing shot-by-shot commentary throughout the tournament.

The Augusta National Experience

What makes the Masters special isn’t just the golf—it’s the entire Augusta National experience.

The course itself is a masterpiece, with holes named after the flora that surrounds them: Tea Olive, Pink Dogwood, Flowering Peach, Flowering Crab Apple, Magnolia, Juniper, and so on. Each hole tells a story, and collectively they create a challenge unlike any other in golf.

Amen Corner (holes 11-13) is where dreams die and legends are born. The par-4 11th with its treacherous green, the iconic par-3 12th where swirling winds make club selection a nightmare, and the risk-reward par-5 13th that tempts players to go for the green across Rae’s Creek.

The par-3 16th hole, with its island green and roaring galleries, has produced some of the tournament’s most memorable moments—from hole-in-ones to balls skipping across the water.

And then there’s the 18th hole, a uphill par-4 that leads to the clubhouse where champions are crowned and Green Jackets are awarded.

The Green Jacket: Golf’s Most Coveted Prize

While other majors award trophies, the Masters presents the Green Jacket—a symbol so iconic it transcends sports. Winners get to keep the jacket for one year before returning it to Augusta, though they can wear it anytime they’re on the club grounds.

The tradition began in 1949, and past champions include golf’s greatest names: Jack Nicklaus (six-time winner), Tiger Woods (five-time winner), Arnold Palmer (four-time winner), and dozens of other legends.

Winning the Masters doesn’t just mean joining an elite club—it means a lifetime invitation to return to Augusta every year, walking the grounds as both a competitor and a champion.

The Traditions That Make It Special

Beyond the Green Jacket, the Masters is defined by its traditions:

The Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, where past winners gather and the defending champion chooses the menu.

The Par-3 Contest on Wednesday, a light-hearted competition that no winner has ever gone on to claim the tournament (though many have tried to break the “curse”).

Pimento cheese sandwiches and other concession items sold at prices that seem frozen in time compared to other sporting events.

No running, a rule strictly enforced by the gallery marshals to maintain the tournament’s dignified atmosphere.

Limited commercials during broadcasts, creating a viewing experience focused on golf rather than constant advertising.

What to Watch For in Round 1

As the first round unfolds today, several storylines will dominate coverage:

Can the favorites hold serve? Top-ranked players are expected to get off to strong starts, but Augusta has humbled many favorites on Day 1.

Which dark horses will emerge? Every Masters sees unexpected players post low scores early, putting themselves in position to contend.

How will first-timers handle the pressure? Players making their Masters debut often struggle with the enormity of the moment and the difficulty of the course.

Weather conditions: Any wind or rain could separate the field quickly, rewarding players who handle adversity better than their competitors.

The Journey Begins

Round 1 of the 2026 Masters is more than just 18 holes of golf—it’s the beginning of a four-day journey that will test skill, mental toughness, and nerves in equal measure.

By the time the sun sets over Augusta National today, we’ll have a clearer picture of who’s positioned to contend and who’s already fighting to make the cut.

But we’ll also be reminded why the Masters remains golf’s crown jewel: the beauty of the course, the weight of history, and the knowledge that anything can happen on these hallowed grounds.

“A tradition unlike any other” isn’t just marketing—it’s a promise that for four days each April, golf will be played at its highest level, in its most beautiful setting, with the entire world watching.

The 2026 Masters has begun.

Let the tradition continue.