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What Channel Is The PGA Tournament On?

ByMichael Reeves

← Major Golf Events & Tournaments | Professional Tour Championships


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Quick Answer

  • Your best bet is always the official PGA Tour website or their app for the most current broadcast schedule.
  • Major championships like The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship have dedicated broadcast partners, but these can vary slightly year to year.
  • Make sure your cable package or streaming service actually includes the channels airing the event. No point in looking if you can’t watch.

Make sure your cable package or streaming service actually includes the channels airing the event. If not, consider a golf channel subscription to ensure you don’t miss any action.

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Who This Is For

  • Golf fanatics who need to know exactly where to tune in to catch the next PGA Tour event or a major championship.
  • Anyone who’s ever found themselves scrambling last minute, trying to figure out which channel is broadcasting the golf.

What to Check First

  • The Official PGA Tour Schedule: Seriously, this is your gospel. Always start here for the most accurate and up-to-date broadcast information. It’s usually front and center on their site or app.
  • Major Championship Broadcast Partners: While there are consistent partners, double-check for the specific year. For example, The Masters and PGA Championship often land on ESPN and CBS, while the US Open and The Open Championship frequently air on NBC and Peacock. But always verify.
  • Your TV Package or Streaming Subscription: Before you get hyped for the final round, confirm your current plan actually includes the sports channels broadcasting the tournament. You don’t want to be that person who realizes they’re missing the winning putt because of a subscription oversight.
  • Specific Tournament Rounds: Sometimes, early rounds might be on a dedicated golf channel or a secondary network, with the weekend action shifting to the main broadcast partners. Don’t assume it’s the same channel all weekend.

Finding PGA What Channel for the Action

Step-by-Step Plan to Find the PGA Tournament Channel

1. Action: Head straight to the official PGA Tour website (PGATour.com) or download their app.

What to look for: A prominent “Schedule,” “Tournaments,” or “TV Info” section. It’s usually impossible to miss. This is your primary source for all things broadcast.
Mistake to avoid: Don’t rely on random social media posts, outdated articles, or word-of-mouth. These can be wrong or stale. Stick to the official source like glue.

2. Action: Navigate to the specific tournament you’re interested in.

What to look for: Within the tournament’s page, look for a dedicated “Broadcast,” “TV Schedule,” or “Watch” tab. This is where they lay out all the viewing details.
Mistake to avoid: Assuming every PGA Tour event airs on the same channel or network. That’s a surefire way to miss the action. Different events and different rounds have different homes.

3. Action: Carefully note the listed broadcast networks and their corresponding times.

What to look for: The names of the channels (e.g., CBS, NBC, ESPN, Golf Channel) and the specific start and end times for each broadcast window. Pay attention to AM/PM and any mention of “live coverage.”
Mistake to avoid: Forgetting about time zone differences. If you’re on the West Coast and the schedule says 1 PM ET, that’s 10 AM PT. You don’t want to miss the early tee times because of a time zone mix-up. I’ve definitely done that before when I was younger, thinking I had more time.

4. Action: Cross-reference these channels with your current TV or streaming subscription.

What to look for: Your cable provider’s channel lineup, your streaming service’s channel guide, or a quick call/chat with customer service. You need to confirm these specific channels are included in your plan.
Mistake to avoid: Assuming your standard cable or streaming package covers all sports channels. Often, the channels that carry major golf tournaments are part of a sports tier or require a specific add-on package. Don’t get caught without it.

5. Action: Investigate any available streaming options for flexibility.

What to look for: Links to network apps (like the CBS Sports app, NBC Sports app, ESPN app) or dedicated streaming services (like Peacock, Paramount+). These are often listed alongside traditional TV channels.
Mistake to avoid: Not realizing that some streaming options might require a separate subscription fee beyond your existing cable or general streaming service. For instance, Peacock might have exclusive content or require a premium tier.

6. Action: Check for international broadcast information if you’re outside the US.

What to look for: Sometimes, the PGA Tour website will have a section detailing how to watch in different countries.
Mistake to avoid: Assuming the US broadcast information applies globally. Broadcasting rights are territorial, and you’ll need to find the local provider in your region.

Understanding PGA Tournament Broadcasts

Common Mistakes When Finding the PGA Tournament Channel

  • Mistake: Assuming the channel is the same for all PGA events.

Why it matters: This is probably the most common slip-up. Different tournaments, from regular tour stops to the majors, are broadcast on a variety of networks. Even within a single major, coverage can shift between networks for different rounds. You might be set to watch the final round on CBS, only to realize the early Saturday action was on the Golf Channel or ESPN.
Fix: Always, and I mean always, check the specific tournament schedule on the official PGA Tour website. It’s the only way to be sure.

  • Mistake: Not verifying your TV package details thoroughly.

Why it matters: You might see that the tournament is on, say, the NBC Sports Network, and think you’re covered. But if that channel is part of a premium sports package you don’t subscribe to, you’re out of luck. It’s like having a ticket to the course but forgetting your wallet.
Fix: Take a few minutes to log into your cable or streaming provider’s account portal or give them a call. Confirm that the specific channels listed for the tournament are indeed part of your current subscription. Don’t wait until tee time to find this out.

  • Mistake: Relying on outdated information or third-party guides.

Why it matters: Broadcast rights can change, schedules are sometimes adjusted due to weather or other factors, and new streaming deals can be struck. Information from even a few months ago might be completely irrelevant. Old intel is useless, and can lead to serious disappointment.
Fix: Make the official PGA Tour website or app your go-to source. They update their schedules in real-time. If you see something elsewhere, always double-check it against the official PGA Tour listing.

  • Mistake: Forgetting about secondary channels or specific streaming service requirements.

Why it matters: Sometimes, the most in-depth coverage, featured groups, or even entire rounds are exclusively available on less obvious platforms. Think about Peacock for NBC events, or specific streaming apps that carry international feeds. You might be missing out on the full experience if you only check your main cable channel.
Fix: Always look for “Watch Online,” “Streaming Options,” or “Digital Coverage” links on the official tournament schedule. These will guide you to any alternative viewing platforms and their requirements.

  • Mistake: Not accounting for time zone differences when checking broadcast times.

Why it matters: This is a classic pitfall, especially for those who live far from the East Coast, where many tournaments originate or are scheduled. A 1 PM ET start time is very different from a 1 PM PT start time. You could end up tuning in hours too early or, worse, missing the crucial final holes.
Fix: When you check the schedule, make a note of the time zone (usually ET) and then convert it to your local time. Most online schedules will have a “change to local time” option, but it’s good to know how to do the math yourself.

  • Mistake: Assuming that free over-the-air broadcasts are always available.

Why it matters: While major networks like CBS and NBC still broadcast some events over the air, many PGA Tour events, especially earlier rounds or specific tournaments, are exclusively on cable channels like the Golf Channel or require subscriptions to streaming services. You can’t just flip on channel 3 and expect to see everything.
Fix: Prioritize checking the official PGA Tour schedule, which will clearly differentiate between over-the-air networks, cable channels, and streaming-only content. Be prepared to use a streaming service if necessary.

FAQ About PGA Tournament Channel

  • What is the main channel for PGA Tour events?

There isn’t one single “main” channel for all PGA Tour events. Instead, coverage is spread across major broadcast networks like CBS and NBC, cable sports giants like ESPN and the Golf Channel, and increasingly, dedicated streaming platforms. The specific network assignment varies greatly depending on the tournament, the round being played, and broadcast rights agreements. For example, you might find the early rounds of a major on the Golf Channel, with the weekend action shifting to CBS or NBC.

  • Where can I find the schedule for The Masters?

You can find the official broadcast schedule for The Masters on the Augusta National Golf Club’s official website, as well as on the official PGA Tour website (PGATour.com). Historically, The Masters has been broadcast on ESPN for the early rounds and CBS for the weekend rounds, but it’s always wise to confirm the current year’s schedule on the official sources.

  • Does the PGA Championship air on a specific network every year?

The PGA Championship has a consistent broadcast partnership with CBS and ESPN. Typically, ESPN covers the early rounds (Thursday and Friday), and CBS takes over for the weekend rounds (Saturday and Sunday). However, broadcast rights can evolve, so it’s always best practice to verify the specific network lineup on the official PGA Tour schedule for the current year’s championship.

  • Can I watch PGA tournaments on my phone or tablet?

Absolutely. In today’s digital age, watching PGA Tour events on your phone or tablet is very common. Most of the major broadcasting networks (CBS, NBC, ESPN) have their own sports apps that stream live coverage. Additionally, services like Peacock (for NBC events) or Paramount+ (for CBS events) often offer comprehensive streaming options. You’ll usually find links to these streaming platforms on the official PGA Tour schedule page for each tournament.

  • What if my cable provider doesn’t carry the channel airing the PGA tournament?

If your current cable or satellite provider doesn’t carry the necessary channel, you have a few options. You could explore upgrading your TV package to include the sports channels you need. Alternatively, you might consider switching to a different cable provider or, more commonly now, subscribing to a live TV streaming service that includes the required channels (like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV). Sometimes, a specific tournament might be available on a standalone streaming service like Peacock, which you can subscribe to independently.

  • Are all rounds of a PGA Tour event broadcast live?

Not always. While the final rounds of majors and significant tour events are almost always broadcast live, earlier rounds (especially Thursday and Friday) might have more limited live coverage or be shown exclusively on a dedicated golf channel like the Golf Channel or through online streaming services. The official PGA Tour schedule will detail the specific broadcast times and networks for each round.

  • How do I find out what channel the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup is on?

These team events, while part of the broader PGA Tour landscape, often have their own specific broadcast arrangements. For the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, you’ll want to check the official PGA Tour website, but also look for announcements from the primary broadcast partners of those events, which typically align with the major championship broadcasters (like NBC/Peacock for Ryder Cup, and NBC/Golf Channel for Presidents Cup). Their schedules will be clearly laid out well in advance.

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