The annual Masters tournament is set to tee off Thursday at the storied Augusta National in Georgia. Scottie Scheffler, the reigning champion, aims to secure his third green jacket, while Rory McIlroy will once again attempt to clinch his first. Golf enthusiasts will witness renowned players gather for the inaugural major championship of the year amidst Augusta’s scenic landscape.
This year’s field is the largest in a decade, comprising 95 players—even without the participation of five-time winner Tiger Woods, who recently underwent surgery for a torn Achilles tendon. Woods made headlines last year by setting a record for consecutive cuts made at the tournament with 24.
Despite some ongoing tensions in professional golf, 12 players from the breakaway LIV Golf league, including previous winners Jon Rahm and U.S. Open victor Bryson DeChambeau, are among those competing. The lush surroundings of blooming azaleas and pink dogwoods will serve as the backdrop for this prestigious event.
The tournament kicks off around 7:25 a.m. EDT on Thursday, with legendary players Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson starting on the first hole, Tea Olive. The tradition of honorary starters began in 1963, but it wasn’t until 1981, when Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen assumed the role, that it became a cherished practice.
Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire will be the first official competitors to tee off at 7:40 a.m. The competition’s format narrows down the field to the top 50 players plus ties after the second round, with those players continuing to compete through the weekend.
For those wanting to follow the action, live streaming on the Masters’ website begins at 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, showcasing featured groups and key holes. Television broadcasts start on ESPN at 3 p.m. for the first two days, while CBS takes over on the weekend starting at noon on its Paramount+ platform and at 2 p.m. on the network.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Scheffler enters the tournament as the 9-2 favorite. Close on his heels in the odds is McIlroy, following his notable victories at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship, listed at 13-2. Collin Morikawa is 14-1, and both Rahm and DeChambeau stand at 16-1.
Scheffler, having achieved significant victories last year, including sweeping the PGA Tour titles and winning an Olympic gold medal, is arriving with renewed energy after a close call at the Houston Open. McIlroy, widely considered a sentimental favorite, comes off strong performances over recent tournaments, boosting his chances for a breakthrough victory.
Also vying for glory at Augusta are players like Xander Schauffele, a two-time major winner in the previous season, still working back to peak form after a rib injury. Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, seeks his first Masters title, having finished as a runner-up on two occasions.
Featured groups to watch include Morikawa, Lee, and Joaquin Niemann, teeing off at 9:47 a.m. McIlroy, paired with Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia, begins at 1:12 p.m., closely followed by DeChambeau’s group, featuring Hideki Matsuyama and Shane Lowery.
The weather at Augusta promises to start clear, with potential storms forecasted to move in by early Friday, following a warm and sunny practice earlier in the week. On Wednesday, attention shifted to the picturesque par-3 course, where Nicolas Echavarria and J.J. Spaun tied for the lead in a more relaxed, family-friendly event. Notably, no winner of the Par 3 Tournament has ever claimed the same year’s Masters title.
Reflecting on last year’s Masters, Scheffler maintained remarkable composure, achieving a four-shot victory despite the competition unraveling at critical moments. In a turn of challenges, Tommy Fleetwood and Max Homa shared third after unfortunate setbacks. Meanwhile, Woods struggled, finishing with the highest 72-hole score of his career.