Masters 2026: Final Round Drama As Top Contenders Battle For Green Jacket

Masters 2026: Final Round Drama As Top Contenders Battle For Green Jacket...

The 2026 Masters Tournament reaches its thrilling conclusion Sunday at Augusta National, with three players tied for the lead entering the final round. Golf fans across the U.S. are tuning in as world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Rory McIlroy, and rising star Michael Thorbjornsen all sit at 11-under par.

Live coverage began at 10 a.m. ET on CBS, with streaming available on ESPN+ and Masters.com. The tournament is trending nationwide as viewers anticipate whether Scheffler can win his third green jacket or if McIlroy will complete back-to-back Masters victories for the first time since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002.

Augusta National's famed Amen Corner (holes 11-13) proved decisive Saturday, with Thorbjornsen carding an eagle on the 13th to join the leaders. The 24-year-old Stanford graduate is attempting to become the first amateur to win the Masters since 1934.

Weather conditions are ideal for scoring, with sunny skies and light winds forecast throughout Sunday afternoon. Tournament officials moved tee times up by 30 minutes due to potential evening thunderstorms in the Augusta area.

Social media is buzzing with reactions to Saturday's dramatic finish. McIlroy's 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole garnered over 2 million views on Twitter within an hour. The PGA Tour's official account reported a 58% increase in live stream viewers compared to last year's third round.

Betting markets show Scheffler as the slight favorite at +180 odds, followed by McIlroy at +200 and Thorbjornsen at +350. A record $125 million is expected to be wagered on the tournament through legal U.S. sportsbooks, according to the American Gaming Association.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed Sunday morning that the club will maintain its traditional no-phones policy for patrons, though enhanced video boards have been installed throughout the course. The Masters remains the only major championship that doesn't allow mobile devices on tournament grounds.

The winner will receive $3.6 million from the record $20 million purse, along with golf's most coveted prize - the green jacket. Final round coverage continues until approximately 7 p.m. ET, with the presentation ceremony scheduled for the Butler Cabin immediately following play.