Masters Leaderboard Tightens As Final Round Tee Times Announced
Masters Leaderboard Tightens As Final Round Tee Times Announced...
The 2026 Masters Tournament is heading into a dramatic final round Sunday at Augusta National, with tee times now set for the contenders battling for the green jacket. The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with just three strokes separating the top six players heading into the decisive day.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 2:40 PM ET alongside rising star Ludvig Ã…berg, who sits one stroke behind him at 10-under. Defending champion Jon Rahm, currently tied for third at 9-under, will play with PGA Tour veteran Xander Schauffele at 2:30 PM ET. Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance, will start his round at 12:45 PM ET after barely making the cut.
The tee times announcement sparked immediate discussion among golf fans, with many noting the potential for a Sunday shootout. ESPN's SportsCenter led their 11 PM broadcast with analysis of the pairings, while Golf Digest reported record traffic to their live leaderboard tracker.
Augusta National officials moved up Sunday's start times due to forecasted afternoon thunderstorms in Georgia. The earlier schedule means CBS's final-round coverage will begin at 1 PM ET instead of the traditional 2 PM start.
Local businesses in Augusta are preparing for what could be record Sunday crowds, with many restaurants near the course extending their hours. The tight leaderboard has ticket resale prices soaring, with some Sunday badges selling for over $2,500 on secondary markets.
This year's Masters has drawn particular attention due to the competitive field and ideal scoring conditions. Friday's second round saw 38 players break par, tying a tournament record. The soft greens from Wednesday's rain have allowed for aggressive play, setting up what could be one of the lowest-scoring Masters finishes in history.
Viewers can expect intense drama during the back nine, where past Masters have often been decided. The famous Amen Corner (holes 11-13) will be especially crucial, with several contenders separated by mere strokes. CBS will feature enhanced shot-tracing technology during their broadcast to help viewers follow the action.
Sunday's weather could become a factor, with winds forecast to increase throughout the afternoon. Players with early tee times may benefit from calmer conditions, adding another layer of strategy to the championship Sunday.
The Masters app has seen a 40% increase in downloads this week compared to 2025, reflecting heightened interest in tracking the live leaderboard. Tournament officials confirmed they've upgraded their servers to handle the expected traffic surge during Sunday's final round.
