The masters tee times are locked in for the 90th Masters, with Rory McIlroy beginning his title defense on Thursday at 15: 31 BST, which is 10: 31 a. m. ET, at Augusta National. The opening rounds will place McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and other leading names into high-profile groups as the first major of the year begins. The schedule also puts the ceremonial starters on the course at 12: 25 p. m. ET, adding to a day that carries clear weight from the first tee shot.
McIlroy opens the defense in a featured group
McIlroy will play alongside US Amateur champion Mason Howell and last month’s Players winner Cameron Young, keeping him in one of the most watched groups of the first round. His Thursday start at 10: 31 a. m. ET puts him on the early-late side of the draw, and the trio will return in the penultimate group to begin round two on Friday at 18: 44 BST, or 1: 44 p. m. ET.
That timing matters because the opening masters tee times have created a compact window for the headline contenders to make an early move. McIlroy is looking to become the fourth player to win successive Masters titles, and the setup guarantees immediate attention as soon as play begins.
Scheffler, Rahm and DeChambeau follow close behind
World number one Scottie Scheffler is on the late-early side of the draw and starts at 18: 44 BST, which is 1: 44 p. m. ET, with Robert MacIntyre and Gary Woodland. Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele are scheduled for 15: 07 BST, or 10: 07 a. m. ET, while Jon Rahm is listed with Chris Gotterup and Ludvig Åberg at 1: 08 p. m. ET.
Tommy Fleetwood is out at 14: 55 BST, or 9: 55 a. m. ET, while Justin Rose begins his 21st Masters at 18: 20 BST, or 1: 20 p. m. ET, with Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka. The depth of those masters tee times underlines how many major champions are packed into the same two rounds.
Immediate reaction from the schedule itself
There are no quotes in the supplied material, but the grouping tells the story. Augusta’s opening two rounds bring together the defending champion, the world number one, recent major winners and multiple former champions in a schedule that leaves little room for a slow start.
Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson will hit the ceremonial tee shots at 12: 25 p. m. ET as honorary starters, a traditional opening that frames the competitive action to follow. The same day’s early groups include John Keefer and Haotong Li at 7: 40 a. m. ET, with a long list of pairings rolling through the morning and afternoon.
Quick context on a crowded major week
The 90th playing of the Masters begins Thursday, April 9, with round two set for Friday, April 10. Broadcast windows listed in the schedule show live coverage across Thursday and Friday, with weekend rounds following on Saturday and Sunday.
For now, the key point is simple: the masters tee times have put the biggest names in golf on a collision course from the opening morning through Friday afternoon, and the first move at Augusta National could shape the rest of the week.
