The Masters: How To Watch, TV Schedule and Top Storylines

Nothing signifies Spring more than the return of The Masters. Golf’s first major championship of the season not only marks the arrival of warmer weather – especially this year, which is projected by AccuWeather to be the first dry Masters since 2011 – but also the first time the world’s best players all finally compete in the same tournament. With the golf landscape still fragmented, the four majors (The Masters, PGA Championship, and the U.S. and British Opens) will be the only time talent from the PGA Tour and LIV will come together and play for the biggest titles in golf.

Here's a look at the TV schedule and the top storylines to follow at Augusta National. DISH subscribers can enjoy the event starting on Wednesday, April 8 at 2pm ET with the Par 3 contest on ESPN (Channel 140, available with America's Top 120 and up). Then the tournament begins Thursday morning - the first two rounds are on ESPN, and the final two rounds air on CBS (check your guide for channel details), with additional coverage on Amazon Prime Video. The Masters TV schedule is as follows:

2026 Masters TV Schedule:

All times Eastern

Par 3 Contest Wednesday: 2-4pm on ESPN

Round 1 Thursday: Early coverage 1-3pm on Prime Video; 3-7:30pm on ESPN  

Round 2 Friday: Early coverage 1-3pm on Prime Video; 3-7:30pm on ESPN

Round 3 Saturday: 2-7 pm on CBS 

Round 4 Sunday: 2-7pm on CBS

*Additional coverage of The Masters on Masters.com, The Masters App and Paramount+. Includes featured groups, and featured holes.

Can Rory McIlroy Go Back-to-Back?

After years of falling just short, Rory McIlroy finally secured his first Green Jacket in 2025. He earned the title in spectacular fashion, defeating Justin Rose in a dramatic playoff—a performance that instantly became an iconic Masters moment. By completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta, McIlroy capped off a stellar 2025 season where he recorded five top-10 PGA finishes and a "meaningful" victory at the Irish Open.

Rory has carried that momentum into the early 2026 season. He has already posted elite results, including a tie for third at the Dubai Invitational and a runner-up finish at The Genesis Invitational, where he shot a blistering -17. However, his road to title defense hasn’t been without hurdles; a back issue forced his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, and he struggled to a 46th-place finish at The Players Championship, an event he had just won the year before.

If a back-to-back run was difficult at TPC Sawgrass, history suggests it is nearly impossible at Augusta National. In the tournament's long and storied history, only three legends have ever successfully defended their title: Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02). While his win last year cemented his place in golf history, joining this elite group of consecutive winners would elevate Rory's legacy to even greater heights.

Great Scottie or the Field?

While Rory McIlroy carries the emotional weight of the gallery, the oddsmakers have placed their bets elsewhere. Scottie Scheffler enters Augusta as the clear favorite at +500 (via FanDuel). The World No. 1 has been a model of historic consistency, highlighted by his dominant -27 victory at The American Express earlier this year. Given that Scheffler’s odds are double those of his closest competitors—and his history of winning in even-numbered years (2022 and 2024)—he is the undisputed man to beat.

However, the chasing pack is formidable. Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm sit just behind him at +1000, representing the strongest threats from the LIV contingent. Meanwhile, the weight of a title defense has McIlroy at fourth-best odds (+1300). Rounding out the top contenders is Xander Schauffele (+1500), who arrives in peak form with three top-10 finishes in his last four starts, followed by Ludvig Åberg (+1700), Matt Fitzpatrick (+2200), and Cameron Young (+2200).

For those seeking a high-value sleeper, Collin Morikawa at +3500 is the name to watch. Now ranked No. 8 in the world following his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Morikawa remains a darling of the SportsLine model, which has successfully predicted the last four Masters winners. Though he withdrew from this week’s Valero Texas Open citing a back issue, his ball-striking pedigree makes him a dangerous wildcard if he’s healthy by Thursday morning.

The Empty Fairway: Tiger Woods and the Reality of 2026

Every April, the golf world collectively asks the same question: "Is Tiger Woods playing in the Masters?" For 2026, the answer is a definitive no. If you haven't been following the headlines, the legendary champion is currently prioritizing his personal well-being over professional competition.

On March 27, Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following an accident where his SUV rolled over while attempting to pass a truck and trailer. While his blood alcohol content was 0.0, reports indicate that Tiger refused a urinalysis, and authorities allegedly discovered two hydrocodone pills in his possession at the time of the arrest.

In the wake of the incident, Woods released a statement announcing a hiatus from the sport:

"I’m stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. I’m committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally."

This situation marks another difficult chapter in Tiger's history, echoing his 2017 DUI arrest in Jupiter and the catastrophic leg injuries he sustained during a 2021 rollover crash in Los Angeles. While a Masters without Tiger feels incomplete, his recovery remains the primary focus. Golf fans will have to wait at least until 2027 to see if the five-time champion can once again grace the grounds of Augusta National.

Players to Watch & Betting Sleepers

Aside from the heavy hitters, several other names are trending ahead of Thursday’s opening round:

  •  Ludvig Åberg: After a quiet start to 2026, Åberg has found his stride with three consecutive top-5 finishes. Having famously finished as the runner-up in his Masters debut in 2024, he returns for his third appearance as a major threat. For Åberg, the goal is simple: maintain that composure and finally close the door on a major victory.

  •  Viktor Hovland: While his track record at Augusta has been a bit hit-or-miss, Hovland remains one of the game's most consistent ball-strikers. At +5500 odds, he offers massive betting value for a player with his elite pedigree.

LIV at the Masters

For fans who primarily follow the PGA Tour, the Masters is the premier opportunity to see how the world's best measure up against those who moved to the LIV tour.

  •  Jon Rahm & Bryson DeChambeau: Both stars are currently listed at +1000 and are projected to be major factors this week. DeChambeau, in particular, enters with massive momentum after winning the last two LIV events in Singapore and South Africa.

  •  Brooks Koepka: At +4500, the five-time major winner is a "big game hunter" who provides incredible value, especially considering he nearly walked away with the Green Jacket after a T2 finish in 2023.

Final Prediction

While we can’t claim to be golf or betting experts, we do have some experience identifying good storylines. For that reason, we’re riding with Colin Morikawa, whose 2026 resurgence has been one of the tour’s best stories. As CBS Sports points out, Morikawa has “ more top-fives (two), top 10s (three) [and] top 25s (five)” at The Masters than any other major tournament. He’s also finished in the top-15 the last four years in a row. The Masters gave us the storyline we all wanted last year; let’s see if it can happen again in 2026.