What time does the Masters start?

9 Apr 2026 • 4:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The 2026 Masters gets underway at Augusta National on Thursday, with Rory McIlroy aiming to defend the title he won last year.
  • The action will begin at 12:40 BST (7:40 ET), with America’s John Keefer and China’s Haotong Li the first two players to tee off.
  • The next trio of golfers, which includes US star Max Homa, will begin 10 minutes later, while there will then be 12-minute intervals between each trio after that.
  • Names to look out for include Tommy Fleetwood, who starts at 14:55 BST (9:55 ET), and former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who will begin at 15:07 BST (10:07 ET).
  • McIlroy will begin his Masters defence at 15:31 BST (10:31 ET), while world No 1 Scottie Scheffler has a much later start as he will tee off at 18:44 BST (13:44 ET).

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