ESPN’s 'College GameDay' show to visit Masters

Augusta National officials announce that the college-football staple will set up during the tournament’s 3rd round on Saturday, Nov. 14

This is not your father’s Masters Tournament anymore, golf fans.

No spectators will be on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club next month for the Masters, but the excitement level should be elevated anyway. Club officials announced Tuesday that ESPN’s "College GameDay" show will air live from Augusta National on Saturday, Nov. 14, which will be the third round of the tournament. The Masters, an April staple on the PGA Tour’s schedule each year, was rescheduled for Nov. 12-15 because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

“Given the circumstances brought about by the pandemic, the delivery of quality content is as important as ever to the storytelling of the Masters Tournament,” club chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement released by the club. “While we will dearly miss our patrons at Augusta National this fall, we are excited to showcase what promises to be a truly memorable Masters in a variety of ways for viewers around the world.”

"College GameDay" will be scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon EST, before CBS’ broadcast of the Masters' third round. The studio will be set up overlooking Ike’s Pond and the ninth green of the adjacent par-3 course.

“When exploring ways to showcase a fall Masters, we were drawn to the concept of hosting 'College GameDay' at Augusta National, to introduce the tournament to a new audience and provide even more anticipation and excitement to the event,” Ridley said. “We appreciate the collaboration with ESPN, our longtime broadcast partner, for this first-of-its-kind opportunity.”

Club officials also announced that the annual Par 3 Contest, which traditionally is played on the Wednesday of tournament week, has been canceled.

Former Masters champions Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player once again will act as honorary starters on the first tee for Thursday’s opening round. Because of the shorter amount of daylight in mid-November, play will begin on the first and 10th tees for the first two rounds. After the third round of the Masters, CBS is scheduled to air the Alabama-at-LSU football game at 6 p.m. from Baton Rouge, La.

Rece Davis will host "College GameDay," with analyst Kirk Herbstreit and former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard of Michigan onsite. They will be joined by David Pollack, a former linebacker at Georgia, and ESPN research Chris "The Bear" Fallica at Augusta National. Analyst Lee Corso will contribute from his home in Orlando, Fla.

Tiger Woods will be the defending champion this year at Augusta, so don’t be surprised should Corso pull double duty and don a tiger head as a signal that he likes LSU to win the nightcap.

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