Drive, Chip, and Putt 2017: Time, TV channel, and live stream for event at Augusta National

The biggest golf tournament of the year is almost here, but before it officially becomes Masters week, the kids will take the stage at Augusta National. The Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship has become a cool tradition at The Masters, with boys and girls ages seven to 15 getting access to the most famous golf course in America. Some analysts and pros associated with the game have come to call this the most important day of the week and even the most cynical among us find it cool to see these kids out there competing at Augusta.

The contest, or initiative, was founded in 2013 as a joint effort by Augusta, the PGA of America, and the USGA. It’s always good to see those three bodies working together for the game and this has been an unqualified success in its early history. Not only do the boys and girls get a chance to get on Augusta National, but they also play in front of a national TV audience.

Golf Channel has carved out its own tradition of covering this Sunday morning at the top of Masters week. They don’t have rights to the tournament days, but they do fill in here and provide coverage on the grounds. As you’d expect, some kids are camera shy. Others, well, swag out more than you’ll see any pro the rest of the week. Stephen Robert Hernandez stole the show last year, walking his ball in the hole, tipping his cap like a pro, dabbing and dumping buckets of #TourSauce all over the grounds of Augusta National. It was extremely entertaining to watch before the more serious endeavors of the professionals took over the property.

The pros have also embraced this new tradition, many of them Masters champions strolling out to the putting green, 10th, and 18th hole areas in their green jackets to encourage the kids. Bubba Watson has always been there front and center, high-fiving the kids on the practice area and emphasizing how important the event is to him personally and the game.

This year, Bubba is scheduled to present a trophy and be back along with last year’s champion Danny Willett, Fred Couples, Zach Johnson, Nick Faldo, Ben Crenshaw, and others. It’s a cool scene that can even get to the most cold hearted.

Golf Channel will again have the coverage this year, only they’re expanding it another hour and starting right at 8 a.m. ET. Whether you got it on in the background or dip in and out of the coverage, the DCP finals are a good way to start your Sunday morning and get you ready for Masters week. Here are your coverage options (all times ET):

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Golf Channel

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Golf Channel Live Extra and DriveChipAndPutt.com