Masters tee times

Question
Paul,
I am under the understanding that for most pro tournaments, players tee times are reversed from Thursday to Friday.
Is this true?
How are Thursday tee times determined?
Does this not hold for the Masters?  (Tiger was in the penultimate group yesterday, but didn't start until 10:45 am today.)
Thanks,
Paul

Answer
Dear Paul,

Sorry to just now see your question.

The early tee times on Thursday do play later on Friday but it is not strictly reversed.  In other words, the first group out on Thursday is not the last group out on Friday.  The networks have an influence on most tournaments and they ask that the top players be sent out so the network can show them during peak coverage times.  Some tournament sponsors cooperate better than others.

Thursday tee times are developed along the same lines (popular players in prime time).  However, they do like to space out the big name players so they aren't bunched in consecutive groups too much.

And at most tournaments, the non-winners of events are the "dew busters" going out at 7:30am or whatever the first time is.

Sincerely,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional