The 2023 Masters is up and running at Augusta.
Scottie Scheffler claimed the Green Jacket last year, dominating the field at Augusta National with a superb display.
World number one Scheffler also claimed glory at The Players in March, romping to victory at TPC Sawgrass with a score of 17 under.
Now, he headlines another stellar field in Georgia this week but it is Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and amateur Sam Bennett leading the way following the opening two days.
With The Open being the last Major played in July, golf fans have had to be patience for the return of the elite action.
But the 2023 Masters sparked into life on Thursday morning as the world’s best battle it out once again at the famous course.
The Masters 2023: Date and start time
The 87th edition of the Masters is being held from Thursday, April 6 to Sunday, April 9.
It is taking place, as ever, at the beautiful Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
Play is due to start at 1pm UK time (8am in Georgia) on the opening two days and at 3pm UK time over the weekend.
The Masters 2023: How to follow
talkSPORT will have regular updates from Augusta throughout the week from our expert reporters Bob Bubka, Rupert Bell, Russell Hargreaves and Sean O’Brien.
The action will be shown live on Sky Sports Golf throughout the week too.
Sky’s main tournament coverage begins at 2pm on Thursday.
The Masters 2023: Course details
The par 72 Augusta National will play to a maximum length of 7,510 yards.
The famous par 5 13th ‘Azalea’ has been lengthened to 545 yards this year.
The 11th ‘White Dogwood’ was increased in 2022 from 505 to 520 yards, while the 15th ‘Firethorn’ is now 550 yards.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting the action at two of the most famous par 3s in world golf – the 12th ‘Golden Bell’ and the 16th ‘Redbud’.
The Masters 2023: Leaderboard
The leaderboard for the 2023 Masters can be found here.
This is how the final leaderboard looked at The Masters last year as Scheffler claimed glory.
- 1. Scottie Scheffler −10
- 2. Rory McIlroy −7
- T3 Shane Lowry −5
- T3 Cameron Smith -5
- 5. Collin Morikawa −4
- T6 Corey Conners −3
- T6 Will Zalatoris -3
- T8 Im Sung-jae −1
- T8 Justin Thomas -1
- T10 Cameron Champ E
- T10 Charl Schwartzel E
The Masters 2023: Field and tee times
The tee times for Round 3 and 4 can been found here.
As is tradition, honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson hit special opening tee shots on Thursday morning.
Augusta National announced in December that LIV players are included in the Masters meaning the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are teeing it up.
Open champion Cameron Smith and recent US Open victors Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka are among the 18 LIV players in the field.
The Masters 2023: What has been said?
Five-time champion Woods believes good friend McIlroy will ‘definitely’ win the Masters during his career to complete the grand slam.
He said: “It’s just a matter of time. Rory has the talent. He has the game. He has all the tools to win here.
“A lot of things have to happen to win at this golf course. A lot of things have to go right.
“I think Rory has shown over the years he’s learned how to play this golf course and you just have to understand how to play it.
“He’s been there. Last year he made a great run, put himself there. But whether it’s this year or next or whenever it comes, he will get it done and he will have a career grand slam.
“It will definitely happen.”
McIlroy, who famously held a four-shot lead after 54 holes in 2011 only to collapse to a closing 80, said: “I think you have to go through everything.
“Not every experience is going to be a good experience. I think that would lead to a pretty boring life.
“You have to learn from those challenges and learn from some of that scar tissue that’s built up.
“I felt last year that I maybe shed some of that scar tissue and felt like I sort of made breakthroughs.
“I’m feeling as relaxed as I ever have coming in here just in terms of I feel like my game is in a pretty good place.
“I know the place just about as well as anyone.”
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