What Time Does The PGA Championship Start: 2026 Tee Times
For viewers in the United States, PGA championship tee times usually begin around 7:00–7:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday and Friday. Live television coverage often starts around noon Eastern Time, although the exact broadcast time can change by year, round, and network.
The PGA Championship does not begin at one single time for every viewer. Early groups start on the course in the morning, while major TV coverage often begins later. The first tee time, featured groups, and broadcast schedule are set for each tournament.
PGA Championship start time at a glance
The table below shows the usual schedule for viewers in the United States. Always check the official PGA Championship schedule for the current year because tee times and coverage windows can change.
| Event | Typical start time in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Thursday first-round tee times | About 7:00–7:30 a.m. ET |
| Friday second-round tee times | About 7:00–7:30 a.m. ET |
| Saturday third-round tee times | Usually late morning |
| Sunday final-round tee times | Usually late morning |
| Early TV or streaming coverage | Varies by year |
| Main Thursday and Friday TV coverage | Often around noon ET |
| Final-round TV coverage | Commonly begins late morning or around noon ET |
The first player may start several hours before most viewers see the tournament on network television. That gap exists because the championship has a large field and uses staggered groups from the first and 10th tees.
What time does the PGA Championship start on Thursday?
The first round usually starts around 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday morning. Players normally tee off in groups, with some starting from the first hole and others from the 10th hole.
For viewers in other U.S. time zones, that means:
- Eastern Time: About 7:00–7:30 a.m.
- Central Time: About 6:00–6:30 a.m.
- Mountain Time: About 5:00–5:30 a.m.
- Pacific Time: About 4:00–4:30 a.m.
The first-round schedule can move earlier or later because of daylight, course conditions, weather, or the number of players in the field.
The main television window often starts near 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. Early groups may be available through a streaming platform, a digital feed, or an alternate broadcast before the main network window begins.
What time does the PGA Championship start on Friday?
Friday play also commonly begins around 7:00–7:30 a.m. ET. The exact order depends on Thursday’s results and the tournament’s starting system.
In the first two rounds, players usually compete in two waves:
- One group begins from the first tee while another begins from the 10th tee.
- After the first wave finishes, the second wave starts.
- Players return to the opposite starting holes on the following day.
This schedule allows the tournament to complete a full round with a large field in one day. It also means that popular players may not tee off at the same time each day.
Friday is also when the cut usually takes effect. The PGA Championship typically reduces the field after 36 holes, although the exact cut rule can depend on the event regulations and the number of players who make the cut.
What time does the PGA Championship start on Saturday and Sunday?
Weekend rounds generally start later than the first two rounds.
Saturday
Third-round tee times often begin in the late morning, usually between about 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. ET. The field is smaller after the cut, so the tournament does not need as many groups or as long a starting window.
Sunday
Final-round tee times often begin in the late morning, with the final group starting in the early or mid-afternoon. The exact time depends on the number of players remaining and the desired finish time.
The final group often reaches the closing holes in the afternoon. That timing gives television networks a large window to show the leaders and the final holes live.
When does PGA Championship TV coverage begin?
Main TV coverage often begins around noon Eastern Time on Thursday and Friday, but the exact time depends on the broadcaster and the year.
The tournament may use several coverage windows:
- Early digital coverage: May show the first groups in the morning.
- Cable coverage: Often carries the main portion of the first and second rounds.
- Weekend network coverage: Usually carries the most important part of Saturday and Sunday.
- Featured groups: May be available online before the main broadcast begins.
- Late coverage: May continue until the final groups finish.
The best way to find the current start time is to check three details:
- The official PGA Championship tee-time page.
- The broadcaster’s schedule for the United States.
- The streaming service or TV provider carrying the event in your area.
Do not confuse the first tee time with the start of TV coverage. They can differ by four or five hours.
How to find the exact PGA Championship start time
The official schedule is the most reliable source because it reflects weather updates, pairings, and changes made by tournament officials.
Use this process:
- Search for the official PGA Championship website.
- Select the current tournament year.
- Open the Tee Times, Pairings, or Schedule section.
- Confirm whether the listed times are in Eastern Time or local course time.
- Check the TV or streaming schedule separately.
- Recheck the schedule on the morning of the round.
The course’s local time may not match Eastern Time. For example, a tournament held in the Central Time Zone may display local tee times one hour earlier than the Eastern Time equivalent.
Weather is another reason to check close to the start. Storms, frost, heavy rain, or dangerous conditions can delay the first tee time or create two-tee starts.
PGA Championship time zones in the United States
Most national schedules use Eastern Time, but the host course may be in another time zone. Convert the listed time before setting an alarm.
| If the listed time is… | Central | Mountain | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. ET | 6:00 a.m. | 5:00 a.m. | 4:00 a.m. |
| 8:00 a.m. ET | 7:00 a.m. | 6:00 a.m. | 5:00 a.m. |
| Noon ET | 11:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. |
| 2:00 p.m. ET | 1:00 p.m. | Noon | 11:00 a.m. |
The U.S. observes daylight saving time during the PGA Championship’s usual May date. However, the safest approach is to use the time zone shown by the official tournament or broadcast listing.
Why the PGA Championship has different start times
The PGA Championship uses staggered tee times because the field is too large for every player to begin at once.
In the first two rounds, players typically start in groups of two or three. Some groups begin at the first hole, while others begin at the 10th. This format spreads players across the course and helps the tournament complete the round efficiently.
Weekend times change after the cut. The leaders usually play later because the tournament wants the players near the top of the leaderboard to finish close together. This creates a clearer conclusion for spectators and television viewers.
The schedule may also change because of:
- Severe weather
- Darkness or limited daylight
- Course conditions
- A playoff from an earlier round
- Delays caused by suspended play
- A smaller or larger field
- Television programming needs
Common mistakes when checking the start time
The most common mistake is looking up only one time and assuming it applies to the whole tournament.
Avoid these errors:
- Using last year’s schedule: The host course and broadcast plan may change.
- Confusing local time with Eastern Time: The course may be in a different U.S. time zone.
- Checking only the TV listing: Early tee times may start hours before television coverage.
- Assuming the leaders play first: Leaders usually play later on Saturday and Sunday.
- Ignoring weather updates: Delays can change the full day’s schedule.
- Relying on an old search result: Search pages may display a past championship.
If you want to watch the opening shot, use the official tee-time schedule. If you only want to watch the leading players, the broadcast schedule is usually more useful.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the PGA Championship start today?
The exact time depends on the tournament year and current round. First-round and second-round tee times often begin around 7:00–7:30 a.m. ET, while weekend rounds usually start later. Check the official PGA Championship schedule for the current day.
What time does PGA Championship coverage start on TV?
Main coverage often begins around noon ET on Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday coverage may begin in the late morning or around midday. Early groups may be shown through streaming or digital coverage before the main TV window.
Is the PGA Championship start time the same in every U.S. state?
No. A listed Eastern Time start occurs one hour earlier in the Central Time Zone, two hours earlier in the Mountain Time Zone, and three hours earlier in the Pacific Time Zone.
Can the PGA Championship start time change?
Yes. Weather, course conditions, suspended play, daylight, and television plans can change tee times. Confirm the schedule on the morning of the round.
Where can I find the official PGA Championship tee times?
The official PGA Championship website publishes pairings, tee times, leaderboard information, and tournament updates. Broadcasters and major sports networks usually publish separate TV schedules.
Key takeaways
- The PGA Championship often starts with the first tee time around 7:00–7:30 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday rounds usually begin later.
- Main television coverage often starts around noon ET, but early digital coverage may begin sooner.
- The exact time changes by year, host course, weather, and broadcast plan.
- Check the official tee-time listing if you want to watch from the first group.
Conclusion
For most U.S. viewers, the practical answer is simple: expect the PGA Championship to begin on the course around 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time during the first two rounds, with main TV coverage often starting around noon. Weekend play normally starts later, and the final groups finish in the afternoon.
Before planning your viewing, confirm the current tee times, local time zone, and broadcaster schedule. That quick check will tell you whether you need to wake up for the first shot or tune in later for the featured groups and leaders.
