Photo by Benny Hassum on Unsplash The PGA Championship is the second major of the calendar year, typically played in May. Organized by the PGA of America (distinct from the PGA Tour), it carries full major championship weight and a rich history that includes some of the sport's most dramatic finishes. Here's a complete guide to what the PGA Championship rewards, who historically performs best, and what to expect in upcoming editions. The PGA Championship's Unique Identity Among the four major championships, the PGA Championship is sometimes unfairly dismissed as the "fourth" major — the one that follows the Masters, US Open, and Open Championship in prestige. This is an undeserved reputation. The PGA Championship has produced some of the sport's greatest moments and is played at world-class venues on a rotating basis. What makes it distinct is its field composition: unlike the other majors, the PGA Championship traditionally includes the top 20 players from t...
Round 1 of the 2026 Masters is here. The first competitive shots of the 90th Masters Tournament are being hit at Augusta National Golf Club right now. Here is every way to watch, stream, or follow Thursday's first round live — including free options, what channel it's on, and the full day schedule.
What Channel Is the Masters On Today — Thursday April 9
Amazon Prime Video: 1–3 PM ET — Early round coverage. Free with Amazon Prime membership
ESPN: 3–7:30 PM ET — Main Round 1 broadcast. On cable, satellite, or any live TV streaming service
ESPN2: 8–11 PM ET — Primetime replay of Round 1
Full Thursday Masters Live Stream Schedule (All Times ET)
8:30–10:30 AM: On the Range — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+
8:45 AM–3:30 PM: Featured Holes 4, 5 and 6 — Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App
9:15 AM–7:30 PM: Featured Groups — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
10:45 AM–6 PM: Amen Corner Live (holes 11, 12, 13) — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
11:45 AM–7 PM: Featured Holes 15 and 16 — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
1–3 PM: Round 1 Early Coverage — Amazon Prime Video
1–7:30 PM: Full Round 1 Stream — Masters.com, Masters App
3–7:30 PM: Round 1 Main Broadcast — ESPN
8 AM–3 PM: Live From the Masters — Golf Channel
7:30–9:30 PM: Live From the Masters post-round — Golf Channel
How to Watch Masters Round 1 Free Today
Masters.com and the Masters App are your best free options. Create a free account at Masters.com and you get Featured Groups all day, Amen Corner live from 10:45 AM, holes 15 and 16, and the full round stream from 1–7:30 PM. This is genuinely comprehensive free coverage — you can follow every group on the course without paying a cent.
Amazon Prime Video carries the 1–3 PM early window free with any Amazon Prime membership. If you pay for Amazon Prime already, this costs you nothing. It's a new addition for 2026 and it's excellent early afternoon coverage.
CBS over the air (antenna) — not today, that's Saturday and Sunday. Today is ESPN.
How to Watch Masters Round 1 on ESPN Without Cable
ESPN is available without cable on: YouTube TV ($73/month), Hulu + Live TV ($77/month), FuboTV ($80/month), Sling TV Blue ($45/month), and DirecTV Stream ($60+/month). All offer free trials — if you're not currently subscribed to any of them, sign up for a free trial today to catch Round 1 and cancel when the tournament ends if you choose.
Masters App: The Best Way to Follow Today
Even if you're watching ESPN on TV, download the Masters App on your phone. It gives you Featured Groups so you can follow specific players all day, Amen Corner live camera, live scoring with shot-by-shot tracking, and the My Group feature to track your favorites. It's free and transforms a passive viewing experience into an active one.
Honorary Starters: Watch Free at 7:30 AM
The Honorary Starters ceremony is one of Masters week's most emotional traditions — golf legends hit ceremonial opening tee shots to begin the tournament. Watch it free on Masters.com and the Masters App starting at approximately 7:30 AM ET. No subscription required.
Key Tee Times and Groups to Watch
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and the other marquee names will be assigned tee times in the morning and afternoon waves. Check Masters.com for the official tee time pairings — the full tee sheet is posted there and searchable by player name. Featured Groups on Masters.com will follow the most compelling player groups all day so you never miss a key shot from the top contenders.
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