How to Watch the Masters Golf Tournament for Free in 2023
With the galaxy of star golfers competing in the 2023 Masters, the tournament could spark into life in the early rounds. You can’t take your eyes off the screen, rest you miss a historic ace, birdie or bogey. Read this guide to learn how to watch the Masters for free.
Written by Samson Kiarie (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Editor)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-03-17T13:14:41+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler returns to Georgia, aiming for a second major championship. However, the odds are slightly stacked against him, with bookmakers tipping Jon Rahm to claim the green jacket. It will be a week of sizzling golf, and if you’re wondering where and how to watch the Masters live, ask no more.
Key Takeaways: Masters Tournament Online
- CBS Sports Network will broadcast the practice round, Par 3 contest, round three and round four of the Masters 2023. ESPN will live stream round one and round two of this year’s tournament. You’ll need the two subscriptions to watch the entire tournament in the U.S.
- You can watch all rounds of Masters 2023 on 9NOW for free, but you’ll need a VPN to access the streaming service outside Australia.
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN for live streaming the Masters. NordVPN is cheaper but struggles to unblock some streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, whereas Proton VPN is the best free VPN for the Masters but doesn’t have Australian servers.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to watch all rounds of the 2023 Masters tournament, regardless of location. However, because of streaming geoblocks, you might need one of the best VPNs to watch the tournament. We’ll reveal three VPNs that don’t disappoint when it comes to live sports streaming.
How to Watch the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club
The 87th Masters Tournament takes place from April 6 through April 9 at the historic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Here are the key details about the green jacket championship.
The 2023 Masters has assembled a stellar field. Some of the stars battling it out for the green jacket include Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Cameron Smith and Jordan Spieth — to say nothing of the handful of top amateurs pursuing an improbable win.
Unlike the PGA Tour, the Masters tournament organizers agreed to let LIV golfers participate this year and in subsequent tournaments. This means star golfers in the breakaway tour, such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, will be able to take part in the 2023 Masters tournament.
Will Tiger Woods Play in the Masters 2023?
Tiger Woods will be among the players teeing up at the Augusta National Golf Club. After the car accident in 2019, the 15-time majors champion made one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports during last year’s tournament.
Masters TV Schedule & Live Coverage: What Channel Is the Masters On?
The 2023 Masters main event begins on April 6. Before that, golf fans will be treated to practice rounds on April 3 and 4 and the Par 3 contest on Wednesday, April 5. The full tournament schedule is available on the Masters website, including dates and times of tee times of featured groups, along with the green jacket ceremony.
Here’s a summary of the Masters’ 2023 schedule:
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Monday & Tuesday, April 3-4 | Practice Rounds |
| Wednesday, April 5 | Par 3 Contest |
| Thursday, April 6 | 1st Tournament Round |
| Friday, April 7 | 2nd Tournament Round |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3rd Tournament Round |
| Sunday, April 9 | 4th Tournament Round |
You don’t have to be at the Augusta National Golf Club to watch the Masters live. If you’re in the United States, you can keep up with the live coverage on the CBS Sports Network golf channel. Cord-cutters can watch CBS livestreams on the CBS Sports app if they have a CBS All Access subscription, or:
- Paramount Plus — $9.99 per month
- fuboTV — $64.99 per month
- Hulu + Live TV — $69.99 per month
Keep in mind that CBS Sports Network will only broadcast the practice rounds, the Par 3 contest and the two final rounds. You’ll need a monthly ESPN subscription, which costs $6.99, to watch the first and second rounds of this year’s Masters golf tournament. Sadly, ESPN won’t broadcast the last two rounds of the tournament.
Golf fans in the U.K., Canada, France and Australia can catch all the action on the following channels and streaming services:
| Country: | Channel |
|---|---|
| U.K. | BBC2 — Free (Only highlights)Sky Sports golf — from $25 per month |
| Australia | 9NOW — Free (All rounds)Foxtel/Kayo Sports — $25 per month |
| Canada | TSN/RDS (Access through a TV provider like Bell, Virgin Plus, Shaw) |
| France | Canal+ — €7.99 |
Where to Watch the Masters Tournament: Free Without Cable
You don’t have to buy a Masters ticket for a front-row experience. Sometimes a free streaming service will do the trick. We scoured the web and found various options to watch the Masters tournament for free.
You can watch the 2023 Masters tournament free without cable with Paramount Plus or fuboTV free trials. Both streaming platforms offer seven-day free trials — long enough to last you the entire tournament. Sadly, Paramount Plus and fuboTV will only broadcast the third and fourth rounds.
This is where 9NOW comes into play. This streaming service will livestream all four rounds of the 2023 Masters tournament. The problem is that 9NOW is exclusively available to Australian residents. Thankfully, with a reliable streaming VPN, you can access 9NOW from anywhere and watch the tournament, including Australia.
There are reliable free VPNs such as Proton VPN and Windscribe, but these services don’t offer servers in Australia. For that reason, you’ll have to pay a small fee for a premium VPN to access 9NOW from anywhere. However, most VPNs have money-back guarantees that you can use as a free trial, if you’re determined to not spend a dime.
Let’s demonstrate how to use a VPN to access 9NOW from outside Australia.
Quick Guide: How to Watch the Masters Live Stream for Free
In this section, we’ll show you how to access 9NOW using ExpressVPN — the best VPN for live sports streaming.
- Sign Up for a Live Sport Streaming VPN
Sign up for ExpressVPN or another one of the best VPNs for live sports, preferably with servers in a country where Masters golf streaming channels are available. In this case, Australia.
- Download and Install the VPN App
Head over to the VPN’s website. Download and install the VPN on your smart TV, Windows or Mac device. If you intend to watch the Masters on your Android or iOS smartphone, install the VPN from the Google Play or Apple app store.
- Create a 9NOW Account
Connect to an Australian server and create a 9NOW account. When it asks for an Australian postcode, you can look up postcodes available online or guess a random four-digit code. Keep the VPN connected to an Australian server while you verify your email.
- Watch Masters Golf Free
Once you verify your email, you’ll be redirected to the 9NOW home page. Access the login page and use the credentials you created in the previous step to log in. Click live TV, select the Masters golf tournament and watch for free.
The Best VPNs to Stream the Masters Golf Tournament Online
We mentioned ExpressVPN as the best VPN for the Masters golf tournament. In this section, we’ll describe its strengths and how it performed in our testing. We’ll also discuss two of the best ExpressVPN alternatives.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Unparalleled unblocking
- Fast download speeds
- 30-day money-back return
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming, thanks to its unmatched unblocking ability and excellent download speeds. During our testing, the Australian server got us into 9NOW on the first attempt and enabled us to create an account without any problems. The U.S. servers are equally capable of unblocking Hulu + Live TV, Paramount Plus or fuboTV.
The VPN service proved once again why it’s the best VPN for live sports streaming. We accessed 9NOW from several continents away. We watched live videos in full HD and didn’t experience annoying lag or buffering. ExpressVPN also offers unlimited data and bandwidth, so you don’t have to worry about getting cut off in the middle of the Masters.
The only quibble we have is ExpressVPN’s price, which is on the higher side. Thankfully, there’s a seven-day free trial on mobile, in case you plan to watch the golf tournament on a mobile app. Alternatively, you can get a free month of ExpressVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review to learn more.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Good unblocking ability
- 30-day money-back return
Cons:
- Mobile UI not very good
NordVPN made it onto this list because of its fast download speeds. Whether you’re accessing 9NOW in a neighboring country or one that’s several continents away, you’ll enjoy lag- and buffering-free videos. Like ExpressVPN, it offers unlimited data and bandwidth, so you can rest assured you won’t lose connection during an intense round.
That said, NordVPN doesn’t rival ExpressVPN’s unblocking ability. During our testing, we had to switch servers several times to access BBC iPlayer. If that offers anything to go by, your go-to Masters streaming might prove a hard nut to crack at first, forcing you to change servers to circumvent the geoblocks.
NordVPN is a cheaper ExpressVPN alternative. Its monthly plan is pricey, but extended plans offer good value for your money. It also offers a seven-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind. Read our full NordVPN review to learn more.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. ProtonVPN
Pros:
- Free U.S. servers
- Unlimited data on free plan
- Robust security & privacy
Cons:
- Slow during peak hours
- No free Australian servers
Proton VPN offers free servers in the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands. As a result, you can’t use it to access 9NOW and Masters streaming services in the U.K. However, if you need a free VPN service to access U.S.-based streaming platforms from abroad, Proton VPN checks the box.
The servers unblock major streaming services on the first attempt, and they should easily get you into Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV and Paramount Plus. Although Proton VPN is fast, its free servers are often sluggish during peak hours.
Thankfully, the Proton VPN free plan comes with unlimited data, which is a rarity with free VPN services. As a result, you can keep up with the entire Masters golf tournament without fear of losing your connection right when it’s getting good. Learn more in our full Proton VPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
Final Thoughts: Watch Golf Masters Live Streaming Coverage
We have unveiled the best golf streaming services, and by now, you should know where to watch the Masters. You’ve got free and paid streaming options: the choice is yours. To reiterate, ESPN will broadcast the first two rounds, and CBS Sports will livestream the final rounds.
In other words, you’ll need a CBS Sports and ESPN subscription to watch the entire tournament. If you’d rather not subscribe to two channels, try 9NOW — the Australian channel will livestream the whole tournament for free. A VPN is all you need to watch the Masters tournament on 9NOW without paying a dime.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the 2023 Masters. It unblocks all streaming services and is so fast that videos load and stream like local sessions. NordVPN is a cheaper alternative, whereas Proton VPN is the best free VPN for streaming the Masters.
If you fancy other live sports, we got you covered. We recently published a guide on how to watch Indian Premier League cricket matches and how to watch UFC Fight Nights.
Have you watched the Masters tournament with a VPN? Which VPN service do you use while you watch online? Which golf channel were you accessing with the VPN? How does the 2023 Masters compare to last year’s Masters tournament, the 2022 Masters? We’d like to hear about it in the comment section. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
You can watch the Masters livestream online on ESPN and CBS Sports Network. The livestream is also available worldwide on different channels, such as 9NOW (Australia), SkySports Golf (U.K.), Canal+ (France) and TSN/RDS (Canada).
You can watch the Masters for free on 9NOW. The streaming service is available to Australian residents, so you’ll need a VPN to access it outside the country.
If you’re in the U.S., you can watch live TV coverage of the practice round, Par 3 contest and the final rounds on CBS Sports Network.
No, the Masters 2023 is not available on Amazon Prime Video.