Just an old sweet song
+ A mostly Masters edition that includes a comprehensive Masters viewing / listening guide — (you can thank us later for figuring out the massive scheduling matrix).
Editor’s Note: Throughout Masters week (Monday, April 6-Sunday, April 12), The First Call | Extra subscribers will be invited to a daily chat to talk about … well, the Masters. TFC senior editor Stuart Hall will moderate the chat throughout the week. Contributor Gary Van Sickle will be in the chat Thursday, April 9, 12-1 p.m. ET to field questions and comment from on site at Augusta. So, be on the lookout for those daily invites in your inbox starting Monday. Also, subscribers will get additional Masters coverage early in the week.
THE STARTER
🏌🏽 Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with DUI near his home in Jupiter, Florida. He refused to take a urine test and he was found with two pills of hydrocodone, an opioid painkiller he has taken for years. It’s his second DUI charge, the first coming in 2017, which he wound up pleading guilty to reckless driving. What punishment does he deserve?
🏌🏽 Woods was given permission to leave the country for a drug treatment program, presumably out of sight of prying eyes. Is this simply to try to stay out of jail or is he really serious about getting help this time?
🏌🏽 Given the present circumstances, Woods turned down an offer from the PGA of America to captain the U.S. team in the 2027 Ryder Cup. Obvious move? If not him, then who?
🏌🏽 Gary Woodland’s emotional victory Texas Children’s Houston Open was his fifth PGA Tour title and his first since brain surgery in 2023 and his recent admission that he suffers from PTSD as a result of the surgery. Is there a better story in golf this year?
🏌🏽 Masters: Ludvig Aberg or Tommy Fleetwood? Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler? Xander Schauffele or Robert McIntyre?
🏌🏽 Phil Mickelson announced he won’t compete in the Masters because of a family health issue that has also taken him away from LIV Golf. It’s the first time since 1994 that both Woods and Mickelson haven’t played in the Masters. Has the game passed them by?
🏌🏽 Asterisk Talley, now a 17-year-old high schooler, led after two rounds of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur after being runner-up a year ago. Besides having the current best first name in golf, is she the next big thing?
🏌🏽 Have you ever seen a Tour player since Seve Ballesteros hit shots as far offline than Jordan Spieth does? When will the media — especially television — stop making excuses for him?
🏌🏽 Season 4 of “Full Swing” debuts on Netflix April 17 with four episodes. Will you watch? Have you even seen the other three seasons?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are sometimes about golf, but not always.
📖 Uncovering Augusta National’s various trademark filings
From the Green Jacket to Amen Corner and even beer, Augusta’s various trademarks offer a rare peek behind the curtain at the club’s business.
:: Josh Carpenter | Sports Business Journal | 04.03.2026 | Read
📖 Undercover: Inside the sprawling Masters merchandise operation
An up-close account of how Augusta National accounts for every detail of its retail experience, as told to Shane Ryan.
:: Shane Ryan | Golf Digest | 04.04.26 | Read
📖 How an iconic Masters moment came to be, and has come to last
In 2021, caddie Shota Hayafuji’s private moment — bowing to Augusta National minutes after champion Hideki Matsuyama had left the 18th green — became something much larger.
:: Brendan Quinn | The Athletic | 04.02.2026 | Read
📖 ‘This was for my legacy and for my family’: How Jack Nicklaus got his company back
What began as a business deal in 2007 turned into a messy litigated ending that has left the 18-time major champion with a company he “seemingly preferred it to be all along: a family enterprise.”
:: Jeffrey Toobin | Golf Digest | 04.01.2026 | Read
📖 This Masters will be unlike any other Masters in recent memory
The 2026 Masters will be different. These next 20 or 30 or 40 years at Augusta National will be different, too.
:: Michael Bamberger | Golf.com | 04.04.2026 | Read
‘STACKED
Stories from around Substack.
DUST JACKET
The Masters: Golf, Money, and Power in Augusta, Georgia
Author: Curt Sampson.
Format: Hardback.
Published: 1998 | Villard Books | Purchase
MASTERS MARKET CALL
BUSINESS
THE FIRST CALL
Week in Review: The industry’s names, news and notables making headlines. | Read
This week’s editions: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Industry press releases | Industry press release videos | TFC / PR Newswire feed
Golf Industry Job / Internship Board
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
“Cheesy shirt.”
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
APPAREL ASSIST
Apologies to your mother, but her guidance that your belt and shoes should match is, to this observer, not entirely appropriate. Matching the color of your belt to your trousers will in many instances create less contrast and, hence, eliminate
the focus on your mid section.
The “Rule of 36” also applies. If your waist is over 36 inches or you are older than 36 years, then you should not have a white belt unless you are helping school children cross the street or leading a marching band.
:: Marty Hackel
19TH HOLE
“Course of Life” podcast co-host Alex Lauzon closes each episode with the guest sharing a favorite 19th hole food and beverage experience.
Sean McLaughlin, “Bachelor in Paradise” star and avid golfer: “The vibe and aesthetic is everything, so the best 19th hole is right near the 18th green, and my order these days would be a nice turkey club sandwich and a draft beer.”
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
MASTERS VIEWING GUIDE
Note: All times listed are ET
MONDAY, APRIL 6
On the Range: 12-2 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Live From the Masters: 2-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
On the Range: 9-11 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Practice round coverage: 12-2 p.m. (ESPN App)
Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
Mornings at the Masters: 9-9:45 a.m. (Masters YouTube)
On the Range: 9-11 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Practice round coverage: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (ESPN App)
Masters Par 3 Contest: 12-4 p.m. (ESPN App, Masters.com, Masters App); 2-4 p.m. (ESPN)
Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-9 p.m. (Golf Channel)
SportsCenter at the Masters: 12-1 p.m., 4-5 p.m. (ESPN)
Welcome to the Masters: 1-2 p.m. (ESPN)
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
Honorary Starters: 7:30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
On the Range: 8:30-10:30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Mornings at the Masters: 9-9:45 a.m. (Masters YouTube)
Welcome to the Masters: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (ESPN)
Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Inside Amen Corner: 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Prime Video)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Round 1 Coverage: 1-3 p.m. (Prime Video); 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes)
Round 1 Stream: 1-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
Live From the Masters: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Radio Coverage: 2-8 p.m. (SiriusXM Channel 92, SiriusXM app)
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
On the Range: 8:30-10:30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Mornings at the Masters: 9-9:45 a.m. (Masters YouTube)
Welcome to the Masters: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (ESPN)
Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Inside Amen Corner: 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Prime Video)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Round 2 Coverage: 1-3 p.m. (Prime Video); 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes)
Round 2 Stream: 1-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
Live From the Masters: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Radio Coverage: 2-8 p.m. (SiriusXM Channel 92, SiriusXM app)
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Mornings at the Masters: 9-9:45 a.m. (Masters YouTube)
On the Range: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Featured Groups: 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Inside Amen Corner: 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Prime Video)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 12:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Round 3 Coverage: 12-7 p.m. (Paramount+); 2-7 p.m. (CBS); 5-7 p.m. (ESPN Deportes)
Round 3 Stream: 12-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
Live From the Masters: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Radio Coverage: 2-8 p.m. (SiriusXM Channel 92, SiriusXM app)
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
Mornings at the Masters: 9-9:45 a.m. (Masters YouTube)
On the Range: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Featured Groups: 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Inside Amen Corner: 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Prime Video)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 12:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, CBS Sports Digital, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Green Jacket Ceremony: 7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Radio Coverage: 2-8 p.m. (SiriusXM Channel 92, SiriusXM app)
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING
MONDAY, APRIL 6
“Grand Slam Rors at Augusta”: 8 p.m. (SiriusXM, SiriusXM app)
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
First Round Highlights: 11:35-11:50 p.m. (CBS)
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
Second Round Highlights: 11:35-11:50 p.m. (CBS)
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
”We Need to Talk at the Masters”: 12-1 p.m. (CBS)
”An Invitation to the Masters: the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship”: 1-1:30 p.m. (CBS)
”An Invitation to the Masters: the Latin America Amateur Championship”: 1:30-2 p.m. (CBS)
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
”1986”: 12-1 p.m. (CBS)
”Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta: McIlroy’s Masterpiece”: 12-1 p.m. (CBS)