2026 Truist Championship: Who's Playing When and Where to Watch the Final Round Showdown
Alright, settle in. It’s Sunday. The final round of the 2026 Truist Championship at Quail Hollow. You can bet your bottom dollar there’s gonna be some drama. We’ve seen some absolute heaters out there, and now it all comes down to this. Who’s teeing off when? Where can you actually watch this thing without it being some watered-down bullshit? Let’s break it down. Because honestly, figuring out golf schedules can be a damn headache if you don’t know where to look. And nobody’s got time for that when there’s a championship on the line.
This year’s Truist Championship has been a wild ride. We’ve got a young gun, Alex Fitzpatrick, who’s been on a tear like you wouldn’t believe. Just a few weeks ago, he was grinding to earn his PGA Tour card. Now? He’s holding the 54-hole lead at a Signature Event. That’s the kind of story people talk about. He’s looking to bag his second PGA Tour win, and first as an individual player, all without missing a beat. He’s been playing so well, he probably hasn’t even had time to celebrate the first win. And the money? If he pulls this off, we’re talking a cool $4 million. Not bad for a few days’ work, right?
But don’t think it’s a done deal. The field behind him is stacked. You’ve got guys who know how to win. Cameron Young, last week’s champ and the reigning Players Champion, is breathing down Fitzpatrick’s neck, just two shots back. And then there’s Justin Thomas. The guy’s a two-time major winner, and he’s already conquered Quail Hollow back in 2017. He’s five shots back, but you know he’s not gonna roll over. This is what makes golf exciting. You’ve got the young hotshot trying to hold off the seasoned veterans. It’s gonna be a fight.
The Final Round Showdown: Who's Up First?
So, who gets the privilege of kicking off this final day of golf? It’s not always the big names first. The early risers are often the guys who are a bit further down the leaderboard, but still looking to make a statement. They’re playing for pride, for a decent paycheck, and maybe to put themselves in a position to capitalize if the leaders falter. You’ve got players like Tom Hoge and Ryan Gerard kicking things off at 7:30 a.m. off the first tee. They’re out there before most people have even had their first cup of coffee. That’s dedication, or maybe just a really early tee time. Either way, they’re the ones setting the pace for the day.
As the morning rolls on, you’ll see the groups get a little more stacked. By the mid-morning, you’re looking at guys like Mackenzie Hughes and Hideki Matsuyama, Sam Burns and Sam Stevens. These are solid players, guys who can get hot and make some noise. Then you’ve got Ben Griffin and Ryan Fox, Denny McCarthy and Jason Day. Day, in particular, is a name you always keep an eye on. He’s got the game to win, and you never know when he’s going to put it all together for four rounds.
Later in the morning, the competition really heats up. Sahith Theegala and Aldrich Potgieter are out there, followed by Maverick McNealy and Max Homa. Homa’s a guy who’s not afraid to speak his mind, and he’s got the game to back it up. Webb Simpson and Brian Campbell, Si Woo Kim and Xander Schauffele – these are all names that can contend. Schauffele, especially, is always in the mix. You just know he’s gonna be grinding and playing solid golf, trying to put himself in contention.
Midday Battles: Stars Aligning
As we move into the midday, the stakes get even higher, and the pairings get more interesting. You’ve got Patrick Rodgers and Pierceson Coody, Justin Rose and Michael Kim. Rose is a veteran who knows how to navigate a tough course like Quail Hollow. Then we see Austin Smotherman and Min Woo Lee. Lee is another young player with a lot of talent, and he’s definitely one to watch. Jhonattan Vegas and Robert MacIntyre are also out there, both capable of putting up low scores.
The mid-afternoon is where things really start to feel like a championship round. Daniel Berger and Matt Fitzpatrick – Alex’s brother, Matt, is in the hunt too. That’s always a story within the story. Akshay Bhatia and Rory McIlroy – now that’s a pairing! McIlroy, a past champion at this event, is always a threat, and Bhatia has been showing flashes of brilliance. Sepp Straka and Keegan Bradley are another duo that can definitely make some noise. Straka has been playing some great golf, and Bradley is a major champion who knows how to perform under pressure.
As the round progresses, you’ll see players like Viktor Hovland and Matt Wallace, Alex Noren and Ricky Castillo. Hovland is a consistent performer, and he’s always a contender. Brian Harman and Alex Smalley are also in the mix. These guys are playing for their spot in the standings, and for the chance to hoist that trophy. Tony Finau and Harris English are another pair to keep an eye on. Finau has the power to overpower this course, and English is a solid competitor.
And then you’ve got Jordan Spieth and Nico Echavarria. Spieth, a former world number one, is always a name that grabs attention. You never know when he’s going to find that magic touch that makes him so dangerous. Corey Conners and Sudarshan Yellamaraju are also set to tee off, followed by J.T. Poston and Gary Woodland. Woodland is a major champion, and he’s capable of putting together a great round when it matters most.
The Final Groups: Title Contenders Tee Off
This is it. The part of the day where the leaderboard really starts to take shape. The final groups are where the real drama unfolds. Ludvig Åberg and Bud Cauley are out there, followed by Chris Gotterup and Lucas Glover. Glover is a seasoned pro who’s won majors, so you can’t count him out. Harry Hall and David Lipsky are also in this stretch, looking to finish strong. Nick Taylor and Jacob Bridgeman are out there as well, playing for their position.
Then we get to the real heavy hitters. Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler. Cantlay is a consistent performer who’s always in the hunt, and Fowler, well, he’s Rickie. He’s got a huge following and the game to back it up. Kurt Kitayama and Matt McCarty are next up. Kitayama has shown he can compete at this level.
And then, the pairings that everyone will be watching: Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood. Thomas, as we mentioned, has won here before and is a major champion. Fleetwood is a Ryder Cup star and a proven winner. This is a group that could produce some fireworks. Following them are Sungjae Im and J.J. Spaun. Im is a consistent player who can make a lot of birdies.
The penultimate group features Cameron Young and Nicolai Højgaard. Young is hot on the heels of the leader, and Højgaard is another young talent looking to make his mark. These guys are going to be feeling the pressure, and how they handle it will be key.
And finally, the group everyone is waiting for: Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan. Fitzpatrick, the man of the hour, is going off last. He’s got the lead, and he’s got the eyes of the golf world on him. Can he close it out? Reitan is his playing partner, and he’ll be looking to spoil the party. This is the group that will likely decide the championship.
Where to Catch All the Action: Broadcast and Streaming Guide
So you’ve got the tee times, but how do you actually watch this thing? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. For those who like their golf with a side of commentary, you can catch the final round coverage on the Golf Channel from 1-3 p.m. ET. That’s your early bird special. Then, the big boys take over. CBS picks up the coverage from 3 p.m. ET until the conclusion of the championship. This is where you’ll see the final groups battle it out for the trophy. It’s the prime-time viewing slot for golf, and for good reason.
If you’re more of a digital native, or just prefer to stream, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is your go-to. They’ve got exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET on Friday, which means you can follow the action from the very first tee shot of the day. Plus, they offer featured group and featured hole coverage, so you can zero in on your favorite players or the most dramatic moments. And if you want to stream the CBS broadcast, you can do that too, on Paramount+. So no excuses. You’ve got options. Just make sure you’re not stuck watching some reruns when the championship is being decided.
For those looking to add a little extra excitement to the proceedings, there are always options for wagering on the Truist Championship. You can sign up for services like Fanatics Sportsbook with specific codes to get welcome offers. It’s just another way to stay engaged with the tournament. Just remember to bet responsibly, folks. It’s a game, after all.
This Truist Championship has delivered excitement, drama, and incredible golf. As the final round unfolds at Quail Hollow, all eyes will be on the leaderboard and the players battling for supremacy. Whether you’re watching from home, streaming online, or just following the scores, it’s set to be an unforgettable conclusion to the tournament.