Honestly, trying to figure out where to watch golf on a Saturday shouldn't feel like a part-time job. But here we are. It’s January 17, 2026, and if you’re looking for tv coverage golf today, you’re probably staring at a confusing mix of broadcast windows, streaming-only "featured groups," and a time zone difference in Hawaii that throws everyone off.
We are currently in the thick of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club. It’s the third round—Moving Day—and the leaderboard is a mess in the best way possible. Vijay Singh is actually making noise at 62 years old, which is kind of wild, and Nick Taylor is trying to fend off a hungry pack.
The Actual Schedule for Today (Saturday, January 17)
Don't let the morning hours fool you. Because the tournament is in Honolulu, the "live" TV coverage doesn't actually hit your screen until the sun is starting to set for most of the mainland.
Basically, the linear TV coverage golf today looks like this:
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET: This is your main broadcast window on the Golf Channel.
- 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM ET: Golf Central will wrap everything up, followed by immediate re-airs if you missed the live window.
If you’re the kind of person who wants to see every single shot starting at lunch, you’ve got to head to the apps. ESPN+ (or the newly rebranded ESPN Select/Unlimited) has the "wall-to-wall" rights. They start their featured group coverage at 12:15 PM ET and run all the way until 10:00 PM ET.
Why Streaming Has Changed the Game
You might remember the days when you just turned on CBS or NBC and saw the final three holes. Those days are dead. Nowadays, the PGA Tour has shifted almost all early-round and early-day content to digital.
If you're looking for the Sony Open specifically, ESPN+ is carrying four different feeds today:
- Main Feed: Primary coverage of the tournament.
- Marquee Group: Every shot from the highest-ranked group of the day.
- Featured Groups: Two select groups followed from tee to green.
- Featured Holes: Stationary cameras at the iconic par-3s or the difficult finishing stretch at Waialae.
It's a lot. Honestly, it's almost too much content. But if you want to see if Vijay Singh can actually keep up with the young guns before the "official" TV window starts at 7:00 PM, streaming is your only real option.
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Don't Forget the International Swing
While everyone is focused on Hawaii, there was some early morning action you might have missed—or can catch on replay. The DP World Tour is over in the UAE for the Dubai Invitational.
Because of the massive time difference, the third round actually aired in the middle of the night for US viewers (starting around 2:30 AM ET on Golf Channel). Nacho Elvira and Dylan Frittelli are currently duking it out at the top of that leaderboard. If you missed it, the Golf Channel usually cycles through a condensed "re-air" in the late morning or early afternoon before the PGA Tour coverage begins.
What Most People Get Wrong About Golf TV Rights
The biggest misconception is that your cable package is enough. It's not. Not anymore.
A few years ago, you could survive with just the Golf Channel. Now, because of the massive billion-dollar rights deals signed with Disney (ESPN) and NBC (Peacock), the "good stuff" is often behind a secondary paywall.
- PGA Tour: Heavily relies on ESPN+ for the morning and early afternoon.
- LPGA: Often pushed to Peacock for exclusive windows. (Note: The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions doesn't start until later this month, so don't hunt for it today).
- Major Championships: These are the worst offenders, often splitting a single day between three different platforms.
Actionable Tips for Watching Golf Today
If you want the best experience without pulling your hair out, follow this workflow:
- Download the PGA Tour App: It’s free and the "Watch" tab tells you exactly who is on which platform at any given minute.
- Check the "Lead-In": If you have a standard cable sub, the Golf Channel usually starts "Golf Central Pregame" at 6:00 PM ET today. It's the best way to catch up on the early leaderboard changes before the live broadcast begins at 7:00.
- Use the "Multi-Cast" on ESPN+: If you have a smart TV or an Apple TV, you can actually watch four groups at once on the screen. It's sensory overload, but it's the best way to track a volatile leaderboard.
Watching golf has become a bit of a puzzle. You've got to navigate time zones, apps, and broadcast windows. But for today, the math is simple: Stream on ESPN+ during the day, flip to the Golf Channel at 7:00 PM ET, and enjoy the sunset shots from Waialae.
Next Steps for Your Viewing:
Check your ESPN+ subscription status now to ensure you don't miss the 12:15 PM ET start of the featured groups. If you only have cable, set a reminder for 7:00 PM ET on the Golf Channel to catch the primary broadcast of the Sony Open's third round.