Photo by Lo Sarno on Unsplash Statistical analysis of amateur golf performance consistently reveals a counterintuitive finding: distance control errors on approach shots cost recreational golfers more strokes than directional errors, even though most golfers practice and worry about direction far more. The Statistical Pattern Shot-tracking data from systems used across recreational and competitive golf shows that amateur golfers are typically far more likely to miss an approach shot short or long of their intended distance than they are to miss significantly left or right of their intended line. A shot that's 15 yards short or long frequently finds trouble — a bunker, water, or simply a much longer subsequent putt — in a way that a shot 10 yards left or right of the pin, but still on the green, does not. Why This Happens Directional misses are usually caused by face-to-path errors, covered in our ball flight laws article , which tend to be relatively consistent for an individual g...
The 2026 Masters Tournament runs from Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It's the most watched golf event in the world — and this year, with Rory McIlroy defending his title and Scottie Scheffler hunting a third green jacket, the viewing audience could be record-breaking. Here's exactly how to watch every shot, every round, and every dramatic moment.
The Quick Answer
US viewers can watch the 2026 Masters on ESPN (Thursday and Friday rounds), CBS (Saturday and Sunday rounds), and stream everything on Masters.com, the Masters App, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+. A significant portion of Masters coverage is completely free.
TV Broadcast Schedule (All Times ET)
Tuesday, April 7 — Practice Round Day
9–11 AM: Masters On the Range — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+
12–2 PM: Practice round live coverage — ESPN App Golf
2–5 PM: Live From the Masters — Golf Channel Golf Channel
7–9 PM: Live From the Masters — Golf Channel
Wednesday, April 8 — Par 3 Contest
2–4 PM: Par 3 Contest — ESPN
4–5 PM: SportsCenter at the Masters preview — ESPN
Thursday, April 9 — Round 1
1–3 PM: Round 1 early coverage — Amazon Prime Video
3–7:30 PM: Round 1 main broadcast — ESPN
Friday, April 10 — Round 2
1–3 PM: Round 2 early coverage — Amazon Prime Video
3–7:30 PM: Round 2 main broadcast — ESPN
Saturday, April 11 — Round 3
12–2 PM: Early coverage — Paramount+
2–7 PM: Round 3 main broadcast — CBS
Sunday, April 12 — Final Round
12–2 PM: Early coverage — Paramount+
2–7 PM: Final round main broadcast — CBS
~7 PM: Green Jacket Ceremony — Masters.com and Masters App
Golf Channel Coverage All Week
Golf Channel airs its Live From the Masters studio show throughout the week — previews, analysis, and post-round coverage every day from Monday through Sunday. If you have Golf Channel through cable, satellite, or a streaming TV service, it's the best place for context and commentary around the tournament rounds.
What's New for 2026: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video joins the Masters broadcast family in 2026 as a new partner, carrying the early afternoon coverage on Thursday and Friday before the ESPN main broadcast begins at 3 PM. If you have Amazon Prime, this is free as part of your subscription. It's a significant addition that gives fans more viewing hours with no additional cost.
Free Coverage: Masters.com and the Masters App
Augusta National provides some of the most generous free streaming coverage of any major sporting event. Masters.com and the official Masters App offer Featured Group coverage all four rounds, Featured Holes (Amen Corner, holes 15 and 16, holes 4-6), the full round streams, and the Green Jacket Ceremony — all free with a free account. This is genuinely excellent coverage that rivals a paid streaming subscription. Download the Masters App before the tournament begins.
Masters YouTube Channel
The Masters YouTube channel is free and posts daily highlights, morning preview content, and historic Masters footage throughout the week. Subscribe and turn notifications on to catch same-day highlights if you miss live coverage.
The Bottom Line
If you have ESPN and CBS through any means — cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service — you're fully covered for all four competitive rounds. Add the free Masters App for extended Featured Groups and Amen Corner coverage, and you have one of the most complete major championship viewing setups available. The 2026 Masters has more viewing options than any previous edition of the tournament. There's no excuse to miss a shot.
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