SuperSport delivers front-row seats to history at 90th Masters

As Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta National to defend the historic green jacket that sealed his career Grand Slam, the 90th Masters Tournament promises to be the most wildly unpredictable major in recent memory. Catch every monumental drive, precise chip, and heart-stopping putt of this epic showdown live on SuperSport from Thursday, 9 April 2026.

There is a distinct electricity that ripples through the towering pines of Augusta National every April, but as we stand on the precipice of the 90th Masters Tournament tomorrow, that familiar hum feels altogether different.

For the first time in over a decade, the narrative surrounding the season's first major is not anchored by the crushing weight of what Rory McIlroy might do, but rather the sheer awe of what he has done.

When the Northern Irishman finally vanquished his Augusta demons last year—edging a valiant 45-year-old Justin Rose in a gripping playoff to become just the sixth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam—he altered the modern golfing landscape forever.

Now, he returns to the fabled grounds not as a hopeful challenger but as the defending champion.

Yet, for all his monumental success in 2025, McIlroy arrives this week under a cloud of uncertainty.

Winless on the season and fresh off a withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back injury, the Northern Irishman’s title defence is far from guaranteed.

If he is to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002 to claim back-to-back green jackets, he must fend off arguably the deepest and most formidable field in recent memory—and as the drama unfolds, SuperSport has you covered with unrivalled, wall-to-wall live broadcasts of all the action on Channel SS Golf.

THE HEAVYWEIGHTS AND THE HOTTEST HANDS

If there is a consensus among those of us who have walked these manicured fairways for the past two decades, it is that this year’s Masters is breathtakingly wide open. The traditional superstars have looked surprisingly vulnerable, while a new vanguard of elite talent is peaking at precisely the right moment.

Take Scottie Scheffler. The world's premier ball-striker arrives as a father of two, welcoming his second son, Remy, just ten days ago. While his recent form has dipped slightly by his own stratospheric standards, his tee-to-green metrics remain peerless. He finished fourth in his title defence last year and has triumphed here in two of his last four starts. Discount him at your own peril.

Then there is the Spanish maestro, Jon Rahm. If Scheffler falters, Rahm looks primed to slip his arms into another green jacket. However, he’ll have to contend with a white-hot Bryson DeChambeau; the American arrives at Augusta as a formidable contender, having dismantled fields to win his last two consecutive tournaments.

We must also look to the surging duo of Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick, who traded blows during the Florida swing. Young brilliantly outlasted the Englishman in a playoff to win The Players Championship—a tantalising omen, considering the last two Players champions (Scheffler in 2024, McIlroy in 2025) went on to conquer Augusta.

Fitzpatrick, unfazed, bounced back instantly to win the Valspar Championship. Both possess the precise iron play demanded by Augusta's famously undulating complexes.

From a local perspective, South Africa arrives with a powerful contingent ready to make their mark on the leaderboard.

The SA field features a blend of proven major pedigree and explosive young talent, led by former champion Charl Schwartzel alongside SA Open champion Casey Jarvis and Aldrich Potgieter.

UNRIVALLED BROADCAST EXCELLENCE ON SUPERSPORT

A tournament of this magnitude demands a broadcast of equal prestige, and as always, SuperSport is the unrivalled home of the Masters.

From the ceremonial opening tee shots today to the presentation in Butler Cabin on Sunday evening, viewers will be treated to comprehensive coverage on SS Golf (DStv Channel 213). Masters on the Range, the dedicated live show from behind the scenes at Augusta, has been a regular staple in the build-up to the first tee.

SuperSport also brings viewers The Masters Par 3 Contest (8pm CAT), which whets appetites on the eve of the main event, as well as a special 40th anniversary special on Jack Nicklaus’s win at Augusta in 1986 airing at 10pm (CAT), all on SS Golf.

SuperSport’s commitment to delivering a world-class viewing experience ensures that fans won't miss a single narrative thread of this historic week.

"The Masters is not just a golf tournament; it is a pinnacle sporting event that commands the world’s attention, and our commitment is to bring that magic directly into the homes of our viewers," said Rendani Ramovha, CANAL+ Director for Sports Content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa.

"SuperSport, on DStv, remains unequivocally the best place to watch the Masters. We pride ourselves on delivering an unrivalled, immersive broadcasting experience that captures the prestige, the drama, and the sheer brilliance of Augusta National, reaffirming our position as one of the premier sports broadcasters on the globe."

The azaleas are in bloom, the fairways are immaculate, and history awaits. The 90th Masters Tournament begins tomorrow.

Make sure you are tuned in to SS Golf to witness every unforgettable moment.

Viewers can catch highlights and other unmissable moments on DStv CatchUp. Follow SuperSport’s social media accounts for all your instant moments and make sure to visit SuperSport.com for more information.