In tournaments on the pga tour, is it better to have an early tee time?

Question

Are you likely to score better and are you more likely to make the cut?

Answer 1

They even it out, so early tee times on Thursday get late tee times on Friday.  The big names may get slotted for the crowd effect, but otherwise it should be even weather-wise.  If you are going to miss the cut, then maybe an early tee time on Friday helps you make a flight, but that is not the right mindset to have.

Answer 2

That's dependent on conditions and location of the tournament.  An early tee time guarantees you finishing your round the same day unless the round is canceled because of the weather.

Answer 3

Like some of the others have said, it depends on the weather & conditions.

One example that comes to mind is playing in hot conditions.  Later in the day, the heat will dry out the greens & players may have trouble making their approach shots stick because the greens are so hard.  Putts will roll faster as well.  It also can get windier in the afternoon on hot days.

When it's hot like that, the greens are softer in the morning because often times the course staff will water the greens overnight which favors the players with the early tee times.

Answer 4

It depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which is weather.

Answer 5

It depends upon the course and the time of year. At one of the recent stops in Arizona, much was made of the dew on the grass in the morning and how it tended to stop the roll. At some of the seaside resorts, there is an advantage in the tee times depending upon whether you will get favorable morning or afternoon winds. That's why if you get a morning tee time on Thursday, you'll get an afternoon one on Friday.

Answer 6

i dont think the tee time has much to do with it. the only way it could matter is if the weather changes during the course of the day or you played in  a late group the day before.

Answer 7

The best players go off last, to maximize their TV exposure.

One would think that the greens are in better shape earlier in the day, but the best rounds normally occur with the later tee times, all 4 rounds, but especially on the weekend!