Why does TV coverage of the Masters start so late?

Full live coverage of the prestigious tournament from Augusta National doesn’t start until the evening in the UK

Golf fans hoping to tune in to the Masters will again have to wait for full television coverage to begin as organisers stick with their traditional broadcasting model.

Established in 1934, the first men’s major of the year is held at Augusta in Georgia, with about 90 of the world’s best golfers battling to pull on the famous green jacket.

• Follow LIVE: Rory McIlroy chases green jackets at the Masters

Sky Sports continues to be the exclusive live broadcast partner of the event in the United Kingdom, but while the first golfers teed off at 12.40pm BST in the opening two rounds, it was not until 7.30pm that viewers were able to watch every group live. In fact, that was after the final group of the day have teed off at 6.45pm BST.

There is ‘featured group’ coverage beforehand where players from a select number of three-balls can be shown but full live coverage won’t be shown until after a number of key players have almost finished their rounds. This is due to the organisers of the Masters limiting the amount of live coverage it allows broadcasters to show.

The Augusta National Golf Club has a number of seemingly antiquated rules, including a ban on mobile phones, and likes to maintain strict control over the event to preserve its prestige and unique feel.

Substantial domestic TV deals are eschewed in favour of maintaining a long-running partnership with CBS in the United States to show the event. New technology has, however, been utilised to improve the offering to viewers. Golf fans can now watch every shot from every player via The Masters app or website, as well as featured groups and holes before the full coverage begins.

How can I watch the Masters?

Sky Sports has the rights for the Masters in the UK and will be broadcasting all four rounds from Augusta on Sky Sports Golf or Sky Sports Main Event. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

On the weekend, full coverage starts at 5pm until close of play - with the Masters champion crowned on Sunday evening.

Round Four, Sunday 13 April: build-up from 3pm, full coverage from 5:00pm

The Masters prize money: How much will players earn at Augusta in 2025?

Last year, Scottie Scheffler won $3.6m for winning the Masters as part of a record $20m prize purse. The total prize money for the 2025 edition is still to be confirmed and is usually announced later in the week, but last year’s breakdown was as follows with the $20m total purse offering an increase from $18m in 2023.

Last year’s top-10 (via the PGA Tour)

1st - $3,600,000

2nd - $2,160,000

3rd - $1,360,000

4th - $960,000

5th - $800,000

6th - $720,000

7th - $670,000

8th - $620,000

9th - $580,000

10th - $540,000