Masters TV Schedule 2016: Definitive Coverage and Live Stream Guide for Thursday

The cliche in golf is that competitors can’t win a tournament on the first day, but they can certainly lose it. That is once again the case at this year's Masters with a loaded field that doesn't afford players the opportunity to overcome slow starts.

With names such as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson headlining the list of golfers at Augusta, one poor round could eliminate someone from contention. 

With that in mind, golf fans will want to make sure they don’t miss a single stroke during Thursday’s action. Here is a look at the critical broadcasting information as well as some groups to watch on the first day.

Masters Broadcast Schedule for Round 1

Adam Silverstein of CBSSports.com provided a complete rundown of the broadcast options for Thursday’s coverage of the first round of the Masters:

Round Starts: 8 a.m. ET

Live TV Coverage: 3-7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Featured Groups Live Stream: 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com

Amen Corner Live Stream: 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com

On the Range Live Stream: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com 

Holes 15 and 16 Live Stream: 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on CBSSports.com

Groups to Watch 

Chip Patterson of CBSSports.com passed along a list of every group in Thursday’s first round. Here is a glance at three that stand out (all times ET).

9:48 a.m.: Jordan Spieth, Paul Casey and Bryson DeChambeau (A)

Any group that included Spieth was bound to make this list. The 22-year-old is the defending Masters champion and counts a second-place finish in 2014 as his only other result in this tournament.

Spieth parlayed last year’s Masters championship into a U.S. Open victory, second-place finish at the PGA Championship and fourth-place finish at The Open Championship. There was legitimate talk of a potential Grand Slam after the first two majors, and he nearly achieved as much in the final two.

If he is once again going to challenge for the elusive feat, he will need to get off to a quick start at Augusta National. 

Elsewhere in this group, Bryson DeChambeau is the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. The former SMU star also won the NCAA championship last June and is preparing to make himself a household name if his swing coach Mike Schy’s comments are any indication, per NBC Sports, via Yahoo Sports: “You’ll never hear him say that his goal is to win, but his whole view is preparing to win. In his mind, if he doesn’t prepare 100 percent, that’s a true failure.” 

Ryan Moore tied for 13th place at the Masters in 2005 as an amateur. If DeChambeau lives up to his potential, he could surpass that mark and challenge some of the sport’s biggest names in the process.

1:06 p.m.: Jason Day, Matt Kuchar and Ernie Els

While Spieth will draw many headlines, Day is the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking and coming off wins at the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Day is the defending PGA Championship winner and placed in the top 10 at last year’s U.S. Open and The Open Championship, so he shouldn’t be bothered by the pressure at the Masters. A quick start from the world’s top-ranked player would send a message to the rest of the field.

Kyle Porter of CBSSports.com was intrigued by Day’s group in the opening round: “Two of the slowest, smoothest swings in the game. And Day's utter violence. A nice contrast.”

Ernie Els has two second-place finishes on his Masters resume. He also placed in the top 10 every year from 2000-04 and could turn back the clock Thursday in Day’s group. 

As for Matt Kuchar, he typically finds his name near the top of the leaderboard at the Masters. He finished in third place in 2012, eighth place in 2013 and fifth place in 2014 and will likely be looking for a solid start to remain within striking distance before the weekend rounds.

2:01 p.m.: Martin Kaymer, Bill Haas and Rory McIlroy

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

With all due respect to Martin Kaymer and Bill Haas, McIlroy is the headliner here. Golf fans are probably craving a showdown between Spieth, McIlroy and/or Day in the final round, but all three have to get off to ideal starts to stay in contention.

McIlroy is the No. 3 player in the rankings and is also looking to make some history at this year’s Masters. With a U.S. Open, Open Championship and two PGA Championship titles on his resume, he is missing only the Masters from a career Grand Slam. If he accomplishes the feat, he would join Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Gene Sarazen as the only golfers to win a title at each major.

That is not bad company to keep.