Masters 2026 Groupings: McIlroy Early, Scheffler Late
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- Rory McIlroy starts his title defence early at 10:31 am local (3:31 pm UK) alongside Cameron Young and US Amateur champion Mason Howell.
- Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is scheduled as a late starter with Gary Woodland and Robert MacIntyre.
- Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson will appear as Honorary Starters at 7:25 am (12:25 pm BST) before the first tee‑off.
- Sky Sports Golf will broadcast wall‑to‑wall coverage from 2 pm Thursday, with full global coverage beginning at 6 pm, and will feature dedicated streams for Amen Corner and specific hole groups.
- The Masters weather forecast predicts no rain, with temperatures rising from a cool 23 °C on Thursday to 29 °C on Saturday and Sunday, and breezy winds up to 20 mph on Thursday.
- The 90th Masters field comprises 91 players, including defending champion Rory McIlroy and former world No. 1s Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka.
Why it matters: The early morning tee‑offs give McIlroy and his fellow starters cooler, less windy conditions, while late starters like Scheffler will face warmer temperatures and stronger breezes, potentially affecting scores; Sky Sports’ extensive multi‑stream coverage ensures UK fans full access, boosting viewership and advertising value.
