Masters

Can Scottie Scheffler do it again? Will Tiger contend? Who else should be getting our attention? We answer all the big questions ahead of the Masters.

He has only one top-5 finish in a major -- a tie for third at the 2019 PGA Championship -- and one top-10 at the Masters, a tie for ninth in 2019. [Patrick Cantlay](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/6007/patrick-cantlay) is one of the best players in the world, especially with a driver in his hand. After finishing tied for 11th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, Zalatoris finished tied for 36th and missed the cut before finishing fourth at Riviera. In the past three tournaments, however, Zalatoris has finished tied for 53rd, 73rd and tied for 59th. Day has missed the cut in the past two Masters he has played in, but he finished top-5 in 2019. Past champions [Dustin Johnson](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/3448/dustin-johnson) and [Patrick Reed](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/5579/patrick-reed) haven't played much, either. The LIV Golf players are probably going to be sporting their team logos on shirts and hats, so the elephant in the room isn't going to be completely invisible. Uggetti: It all depends, but I think it will ebb and flow depending on the tournament's results and what players say on the podium. Schlabach: I don't think it's going to be as much of a storyline as expected because everyone is going to be on their best behavior at Augusta National. Mickelson won't address the media in a formal news conference before the Masters starts Thursday, so there's going to be a microscope on him during practice and the early rounds, after he skipped this event, which he has won three times, in 2022. Schlabach: Given the way Mickelson played in the majors last year and what he did in LIV Golf's first three tournaments this season, finishing 27th in Mexico, 32nd in Tucson, Arizona, and 41st in Orlando, Florida, I wouldn't expect much of anything. I won't go as far as to say he will contend, but it should be another promising step in this new stage of his career.

The 2023 Masters has officially arrived. The top men's golfers from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are ready to embark on the new major season at Augusta ...

[Masters.com](https://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html), Masters App); 12-3 p.m. As managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. ( 1 [Scottie Scheffler](https://golf.com/instruction/fitness/scottie-scheffler-body-endurance-dr-troy-van-biezen/) is eyeing a second green jacket. Pricing may vary. [2023 Masters](https://golf.com/news/bobby-jones-untold-story-origin-masters/) has officially arrived. New for 2023, IBM Watson will provide descriptive text and audio AI commentary for all 20,000+ ‘Every Shot, Every Hole’ videos.” [Masters.com](https://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html), Masters App) This will be the first Masters played since the creation of Masters.com and the Masters App will also feature “scoring, interactive player tracking, video highlights and features, in-depth tournament news coverage, ‘Every Shot, Every Hole’ and ‘My Group,’ which serves as a personalized featured group. [ESPN+](https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/3208296/931309/9070), Masters.com, the Masters app and Paramount+. The top men’s golfers from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are ready to embark on the new major season at [Augusta National](https://golf.com/news/poll-golf-fans-masters-augusta-national/).

The 87th playing of the Masters Tournament will take place this weekend at Augusta National Golf Club. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion.

Friday: The temperature is expected to cool for the second round, with the projected high at 68 and the overnight low at 49. The high is expected to be 53 degrees, with the overnight low also at 53. Sunday: The final round is shaping up to also deal with precipitation, with a high of 70. [he has reiterated](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2023/03/03/tiger-woods-skip-players-championship-pga-tour/11393956002/) that he intends to play in very few PGA Tour events other than the majors. Woods [had multiple open fractures](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2021/02/24/comminuted-open-fracture-tiger-woods-leg-injuries/4572484001/) affecting both the upper and lower portions of his right tibia and fibula, the two main bones in the lower leg. The Masters Tournament approaches mid-tournament cuts differently than other PGA Tour events, offering a smaller field to advance after the second round. 1 player in the World Golf Rankings](https://www.owgr.com/current-world-ranking), won the 2022 Masters Tournament after he dominated play starting with the second round. The 2023 Masters Tournament will run from Thursday, April 6 and will conclude Sunday, April 9. There is 55% of rain with a 33% probability of thunderstorms. On Thursday, April 6 (first round), and on Friday, April 7 (second round), ESPN will broadcast coverage starting at 3-7:30 p.m. 2 player in the world. In fact, only three golfers – Woods, Nick Faldo (1989 and 1990) and Jack Nicklaus (1965 and 1966) – have successfully defended their title from the previous year.

Augusta National is the only golf course to host a major championship every season, a relevant factor in a predictive model.

Over the last three months, Collin Morikawa has been the best in this category (+1.22 strokes gained approach per round), while a number of big names have struggled with their scoring clubs. This is where a bulk of potential winners simply fall short of the +0.20 strokes gained around the green clip from the prior 10 winners. The same rings true at Augusta where the last 10 winners were averaging at least +0.10 strokes gained off the tee per round in the calendar year of their victory. In the calendar year leading up to their respective Masters coronations, all 10 champions were averaging at least +0.65 strokes gained per round with the mean of the group coming in at a whopping +2.14. Augusta National has often catered to some of the best iron players in the world (like Woods). In the year prior to winning, five of the last 10 collected a runner-up finish in a major championship while eight had a top-10 finish. Off-the-tee numbers are the most predictive indicator of success in the world of golf -- just look at the best players in the world at the moment, they are also some of the best drivers of the golf ball maybe ever. It was not Scheffler (+2.50) or Spieth (+2.38) who boasted the most impressive metrics ahead of their victories but rather Watson (+3.02) and Johnson (+3.91) -- albeit it in an unconventional fashion given the November Masters -- who eclipsed the three-stroke hurdle. Six of those had already entered the winner's circle on the year -- see Scheffler in 2022, Johnson in 2020 and Spieth in 2015 -- while eight had found a spot on the podium in the form of a top-three result. Eight of the 10 most recent Masters champions had at least a major runner-up result already to their name with all 10 having a T6 finish or better. Seven of the last 10 Masters champions had at least one top-five finish in their Masters careers before donning the green jacket with all 10 having previously collected a top-40 result. Jordan Spieth came close to joining this group in 2014 when he held a share of the 54-hole lead, and Will Zalatoris nearly accomplished the feat in 2021 when he fell just short of Matsuyama.

Who is paired with who as the 87th edition of the Masters gets underway this week at Augusta National.

Lee, 16 (Byron Nelson), 17, 18 Billy Horschel, 16 (Memorial), 17, 18 Patrick Cantlay, 16 (BMW), 17, 18 For 16 players, this will be their Augusta debut and with it comes the knowledge that not since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has a rookie won a green jacket. Of course, who will be paired with who is the question on everyone’s mind. For 88 fortunate folks, they’ve done just that by earning a place in the field at the 87th Masters.

Five storylines to follow as the best players in the world descend upon Augusta National Golf Club this week for the April 6-9 Masters.

- -

Scottie Scheffler is defending champion after his three-shot win in 2022; Rory McIlroy arrives looking to complete the career Grand Slam; Tiger Woods is ...

Eighty-eight players will tee it up this week at Augusta National for the 87th Masters Tournament. Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will ...

Tom Kim: He’s top 20 in strokes gained approach this season, but this is his Masters debut and he’s yet to finish better than 23rd in a major. Lefty has no top-15s in his last four Masters starts before not playing last year. But he is 8 under over his past two Masters and has three straight top-15s here, including his win in 2021. He missed the cut in his Masters debut last year and is currently ranked No. Justin Rose: His two MCs in 17 Masters appearances have come in the last four years. He’s not in great form, though, ranking outside the top 75 in strokes gained approach and failing to notch a top-50 since his top-10 at Genesis. He’s top 25 in strokes gained approach and should finish closer to his T-5 at the 2019 Masters than his MCs the last two appearances. Max Homa: He’s been hot this year with a win and four other top-10s, and he’s coming off his first Masters made cut in three tries last year. However, he’s currently outside the top 50 in strokes gained approach, down in driving distance, and he’s only posted two top-10s in seven starts this year. Just wish he’s not failed to crack the top 30 in his last three worldwide starts. Top 10 in strokes gained approach and has finished in the top 15 in three straight majors; only Rory McIlroy has done that. He’s 12 under on the second nine in his career, but he’s 13 over on the first nine.

Greg Norman has said that there could be some wild scenes at Augusta this week if a LIV Golf player manages to win The Masters.

Could you imagine what a scene that would be, all these players hugging the winner. However, he will not be present at Augusta this week having failed to receive an invitation, presumably as a result of his exploits over the last year or so. I think that gives these great players an even greater chance next Sunday... Those events exist outside the remit of the traditional tours, with former champions and other top ranked names being invited to take part. I'm disappointed because it's so petty but of course I'll still be watching... Funnily enough, I haven't been invited.

At the Masters this week, there will be some big-names missing from the field. Here are 8 that may surprise you.

[PodBean](https://dropzonegolf.podbean.com/) [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/show/golfcom-podcast) [iHeart](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-drop-zone-golf-podcast-86279832/) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5tCHGYbvzziD2cyntgfseS?si=7d9c60166f054228) [beating Jon Rahm in the process](https://golf.com/news/life-is-good-pga-tour/). In 2023, he has flipped the script a bit and climbed all the way up to 55th in the world ranking.

No one out-traditions Augusta National. There's the Champions Dinner. There's the Par-3 Contest. There's green jackets and pimento cheese.

But of all the time-honored favorites and quirky habits at the Masters, nothing is a bigger crowd pleaser than the annual pond skip. There’s the Par-3 Contest. There’s the Champions Dinner.

Rory McIlroy is in prime form as he arrives at Augusta National for the ninth time knowing victory will see him complete the Grand Slam of major titles, ...

At the Masters he has been top-10 in four of the past five years. UK and Irish fans can look back to January when McIlroy thrillingly edged out Reed in the desert to land his lone title of the year so far. As I say, Riviera can identify attributes needed at Augusta but so too can the Emirates course in the Middle East. Six of those champions compete on the LIV tour that has helped fracture the men's game - conversation could be lively. That was not the case when he stumbled to a closing 80 to finish tied 15th after leading by four strokes heading into the final round in 2011. "It will take a little bit of the excitement out," said 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed. It is the ninth time he has arrived at Augusta knowing victory would see him become just the sixth male player to win a full set of major titles. Jon Rahm began the year in imperious form. It seems a lifetime ago, yet the 33-year-old world number two remains one of the game's most dominant figures. Scheffler, ultimately, could four-putt the last and still win by three shots. His last came at the US PGA Championship in August 2014. It is a course that sets up perfectly for his ball striking talents.

Cameron Smith has criticised the media for the 'rubbish' talked about LIV but has admitted the breakaway circuit could do with some of its players ...

It's nice to see a lot of the guys because I haven't seen them all that much." I have no problem with anyone on the LIV Tour, I really don't." Daily build-up shows begin at 2pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, with live coverage of the opening round on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf. "It has nothing to do with where you play at, but guys that are here, they play all around the world. "All my buddies are still my buddies, and we play, and it's still golf. "I don't think there's any kind of hatred going on between the players. I'm really happy with where I'm at." "For me it's the same," Johnson said. For me personally, I'm really proud of where I'm at and what I'm doing. Unless it's a problem for these guys, I'm going to wear it." "We compete against each other hard week-in and week-out and we're trying to do the same things that we did six months ago. For sure, I'll be the first one to say the fields aren't as strong, but we've still got a lot of guys up there that can play some really serious golf.

As the last wraparound season on the PGA TOUR continues to generate compelling achievements, it's fitting that the first tournament of the second half is ...

To that end, experience on the course not only is an achievement of personal pride as a golfer, but it matters when it comes to winning the Masters. The champion will earn 600 FedExCup points, a PGA TOUR membership exemption through 2028, a lifetime exemption into the Masters and exemptions into the other three majors through 2027. Augusta National is equipped with the full slate of four par 3s and four par 5s, but the most attention will be directed at the par-5 13th hole. So, he’s still the man to beat at the Masters that he won by three in 2022. Beneath the expanded ranking of projected contenders is a review of what’s new, objectives required to perform well and more. It’s time for the 87th edition of the Masters.

Cam Smith is the highest ranked LIV Golf star in the Masters field this week, and will be desperate to get his hands on the Green Jacket over Rory McIlroy ...

I don't know how the rest of the week is going to unfold. “But at the same time, I've made my bed and I'm happy, very, very happy where I am. I haven't really seen much of the crowd. Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, and it was really nice. I'm not sure what's going to happen, mate, I guess we'll see how the week unfolds. “I'm really happy with how it's going at the moment.

Cameron Smith may be unaware of any plans for a symbolic celebration by LIV players if one of them wins the Masters, but believes a strong showing at ...

“I don’t think there’s any kind of hatred going on between the players. “I think it’s just important for LIV guys to be up there. “It was good to see some familiar faces,” Smith added. I’m the first one to say that. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, I guess we’ll see how the week unfolds. “If there was one, I definitely got left out of that one.

Another week, another chance at a game of musical chairs at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.

If he’s solo fifth or better, he’ll jump into the top 200, and if he’s solo second, he’ll move to No. That being said, here’s where some other top players could move to if they win... 1 Scottie Scheffler, No.

Here are the players who have my interest—and those who certainly don't—this week at the 2023 Masters Tournament. Golfers I'm Definitely Playing.

Follow him on Twitter: [@RickRunGood](http://twitter.com/rickrungood). [Listen to Golf Digest's weekly betting podcast, "The Loop" (above) where we interview the industry's leading experts (and sometimes tour pros) to help you make your bets and pick your fantasy lineups. He’s lost 0.63 strokes per round to the field during that extended period, which is the worst play of anyone in this field with at least 50 rounds, per the RickRunGood.com golf database. His game looks a bit ragged at the moment, with the putter being a major concern. He missed the cut at the Saudi International then went T-5, 24th and T-26 at his three LIV starts this season. It feels like Spieth has three or four Masters titles on his resume already, but I can assure you that it’s only one (2015). His game, entering this week, is strong and he’s no longer reliant on his short game. He gained 8.5 strokes off-the-tee and 2.37 with the putter, per the RickRunGood.com golf database. Kirk will make his first start at the Masters since 2016 and will be playing it for the fourth time in his career. Im has spiked twice in his three trips to Augusta National, earning a T-2 in 2020 and eighth-place finish in 2022. Experience will matter on the putting surfaces, with nuance and deceit lurking in every blade of grass. Augusta National is always the star of Masters week, no matter who ends up donning the green jacket on Sunday.

As the last wraparound season on the PGA TOUR continues to generate compelling achievements, it's fitting that the first tournament of the second half is ...

To that end, experience on the course not only is an achievement of personal pride as a golfer, but it matters when it comes to winning the Masters. The champion will earn 600 FedExCup points, a PGA TOUR membership exemption through 2028, a lifetime exemption into the Masters and exemptions into the other three majors through 2027. Augusta National is equipped with the full slate of four par 3s and four par 5s, but the most attention will be directed at the par-5 13th hole. So, he’s still the man to beat at the Masters that he won by three in 2022. Beneath the expanded ranking of projected contenders is a review of what’s new, objectives required to perform well and more. It’s time for the 87th edition of the Masters.

No shortage of great story lines for the Masters, starting with Tiger Woods seeking record 83rd Tour title, Rory McIlroy trying to complete Grand Slam.

- On the brink: If any player in the field is due to finally win a major, it has to be Tony Finau. - Koepka on rebound: Greg Norman says he wants all 18 of his golfers to celebrate behind the 18th green if the Masters champion turns out to be one of his 18 LIV golfers competing at Augusta. 6 in the world and a top-10 finisher in his last three Masters appearances, is overdue to put himself back on the world map. Another possibility is 24-year-old Australian Min Woo Lee, who tied for 14th with Fleetwood at the 2022 Masters and T6 last month at The Players. The best bet to pull this off might be another Englishman, Tommy Fleetwood, who owns six European Tour wins and had top-5 finishes last year at The Open and PGA Championship. - Higher risk: With Augusta National lengthening the par-five, 13th hole from 510 yards to 545 yards, look for a lot more golfers to back off going for the green with their second shots, especially in colder weekend conditions. There were only 10 foreign players in the field for Player’s last win in 1978 and 15 for Ballesteros’ final triumph in 1983. But the world’s highest-ranked player to leave the Tour for LIV has cooled off considerably the past couple months, failing to contend in his last four LIV events. In three tournaments in 2023, the nine-time Tour winner has played a collective even-par and not come close to contending. - Grand Slam wait: A month short of his 34th birthday, Rory McIlroy has had eight opportunities at the Masters to become the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam and fallen short. Zalatoris has finished in the top-8 at six of the past 10 majors. 1 in the world last year for the first time right before winning the Masters.

Will Rory McIlroy secure the career Grand Slam? Will Scottie Scheffler go back-to-back at The Masters? What can we expect from Tiger Woods?

Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf. Whatever happens, how the winner plays the 13th hole this week could well be vital in their pursuit of major victory. Storylines to follow this week at the opening major of the year... [Download the Sky Sports App](https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ContentPromo) Will Scottie Scheffler go back-to-back at The Masters? Will Rory McIlroy secure the career Grand Slam?

There are not many people in the world of golf who know the great Tiger Woods better than Butch Harmon, and famed coach has discussed Woods' chances at this ...

Harmon however believes, as long as he feels like he compete at the top of leaderboards, Woods will continue to a tee it up alongside the very best. He feels he can be competitive and his body will allow it, he will go for as long as he feels capable of it." It is very difficult, it is a hard golf course to walk because of the hills. From watching him I know his game can handle playing it, it is just if he can physically do it." Woods is back in action for only the second time this year, as he continues to play out his now part-time career on the PGA Tour. Amid all his titles, major championships and records, his Masters comeback last April was arguably his most impressive accomplishment yet, having battled through a gruelling rehabilitation process to return to the top of the game he had dominated for years.

Scottie Scheffler is defending champion after his three-shot win in 2022; Rory McIlroy arrives looking to complete the career Grand Slam; Tiger Woods is ...

Rory McIlroy is bidding to win his maiden Masters crown to complete the career Grand Slam, and the LIV Golf critic will be desperate to get one over on ...

I think my game is in really good shape so just keep it ticking over, work on the shots I need for Augusta and away we go." We are all in our own heads enough, trying to be prepared and trying to win arguably the biggest tournament in the world that the other stuff pales in comparison to the achievement of winning a Masters.” Heading into the 2023 edition, McIlroy is feeling confident about his game and believes he can enjoy another good run at the Masters. "But for Cam and I, it will only be about trying to win the Masters. Cameron Smith won The Open last summer before joining LIV and as he aims to win a second major, McIlroy shared his thoughts on any potential interactions with his rivals. The European star later explained that his decision to blank his Ryder Cup rival came after he was served with a court subpoena by the player's lawyer on Christmas Eve.

It's finally time for the biggest golf tournament of the year, with the Masters 2023 taking place this coming weekend at Augusta National Golf Club.

The start time each day is 15:00 ET, except for Sunday when the action will get going at 14:00 ET. That's quite late for UK fans, working out at 00:00 or 01:00 BST. What are the 2023 Masters pairings and groups? [golf](https://www.marca.com/en/golf.html) tournament of the year, with the Masters 2023 taking place this coming weekend at [Augusta National Golf Club](https://www.marca.com/en/golf/2023/04/03/642b110122601d11068b4573.html). What time is the Masters 2023? [The LIV stars participating at the Augusta Masters](https://www.marca.com/en/golf/2023/04/03/642b2c4822601dc3658b45dc.html)

Find out all the Masters facts and figures for five-time champion Tiger Woods as he prepares to make his 25th appearance at the Augusta National.

78 - Woods' worst round at the Masters. 5 - The number of times Woods has won the Masters. 71.05 - Woods' scoring average at the Masters, the lowest among men to have played more than 50 rounds. He won the tournament on both occasions. 21 - Woods' age when he won his first Masters, and first major title, in 1997. Woods was the reigning U.S.

This year's edition of the Masters is at major risk of witnessing delays for the first time in four decades after weather forecasts in Georgia raised ...

[LIV Golf](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/liv-golf) rebel [Dustin Johnson](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/dustin-johnson) is another who stands to benefit in that scenario, having made the most of wet conditions in the week to wreak havoc on the field. At a time when innovation and modernisation are two fiercely contested topics in golf, however, the weather remains one aspect of the sport far beyond organisers' control. According to the predictions, Thursday has the best odds of seeing playable conditions with only a 24 per cent chance of rain. [Rory McIlroy](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/rory-mcilroy) is joint-favourite with defending champion Scottie Scheffler to finally end his wait for a Green Jacket, and wet weather could work in his favour. Almost 100 players usually attended Augusta up until the late 2010s when the field was reduced further to accommodate between 86 and 89 players. The first major of the year traditionally has the smallest field of any of the 'Big Four', leaving more room to adjust in the event of a delay.

Read our full 2023 Masters viewer's guide, including Masters tee times, TV schedules and streaming info to watch the action from Augusta.

[Masters.com](https://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html), Masters App); 12-3 p.m. As managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. [Scottie Scheffler](https://golf.com/news/augusta-national-masters-champions-dinner-menu/), [Rory McIlroy](https://golf.com/gear/how-rory-mcilroy-maintained-distance-with-shorter-driver-fully-equipped/) and [Jon Rahm](https://golf.com/news/jon-rahm-tip-tiger-woods-peaking/) are ranked Nos. ( You can stream the 2023 Masters online via ESPN+, Masters.com and in the Masters app, as well as Paramount+. CBS will handle the third and final rounds on Saturday and Sunday. [Masters.com](https://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html), Masters App) Pricing may vary. [Paramount+](https://www.paramountplus.com/)) Here is our complete 2023 Masters viewer’s guide for the entire tournament, including full streaming and TV schedules and complete tee times for Rounds 1 and 2 once they are released. 1-3 in the Official World Golf Ranking. (ESPN)

How it works: Each week, our experts from PGATOUR.COM will make their selections in . Each lineup consists of four starters and two bench players that can ...

Scottie Scheffler is defending champion after his three-shot win in 2022; Rory McIlroy arrives looking to complete the career Grand Slam; Tiger Woods is ...

Rory McIlroy believes he has eradicated some of the past 'scar tissue' at The Masters and has 'all the ingredients' to complete the career Grand Slam at ...

The Masters. At Augusta National. The first Major of the season. And, perhaps, the most appealing of all golf tournaments. With its picture-postcard scenery ...

A relaxed Rory McIlroy believes he has all the ingredients to win the Masters and complete a career grand slam after shedding some scar tissue from previous ...

While a relaxed McIlroy said he felt he had all the ingredients necessary to triumph at Augusta National and has shed scar tissue from previous failures, Woods ...

Tee times and pairings for the first two rounds at the Masters were announced Tuesday, including the grouping of Tiger Woods, Viktor Hovland and Xander ...

Will anyone be able to get past the big three and slip on the green jacket come Sunday evening?

Rory McIlroy faces an anxious wait to begin his bid for the career Grand Slam after being drawn in the penultimate group for the opening round of the ...

Ireland), Sam Burns Poston, Francesco Molinari (Italy), Bryson DeChambeau 1630 (1324) J.

McIlroy is among the favourites at Augusta for the 87th Masters tournament and is chasing an elusive Green Jacket that would end a nine-year major drought. And ...

[LIV Golf](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/liv-golf) renegades in the field have all learned their first round tee times, with Cameron Smith notably drawn alongside 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama. [Tiger Woods](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/liv-golf) will also tee it up on Thursday and is guaranteed to attract huge galleries in his grouping with Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele. Masters First Round tee times in full (UK times) [Rory McIlroy](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/rory-mcilroy) will play alongside Tom Kim and Sam Burns in the first two rounds of The Masters as he plots his latest bid to complete a famous career Grand Slam. And the Northern Irishman has been handed a late-early draw with South Korean sensation Kim and newly-crowned WGC Matchplay champion Burns. McIlroy is among the favourites at Augusta for the 87th Masters tournament and is chasing an elusive Green Jacket that would end a nine-year major drought.