The 85th edition of the Masters – the first major golf championship of 2021 – tees off this week at Augusta National Golf Club.
Dustin Johnson will return to the iconic Georgia golf course to defend his 2020 title, and seek to become the first back-to-back Masters winner since Tiger Woods (2001-02).
In one of the early featured groups, the 36-year old Johnson will be joined by 47-year old Englishman Lee Westwood and 22-year old Tyler Strafaci, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. The trio has a tee time of 10:30 am, local time.
A second early marquee pairing (10:42 am) will include Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Spaniard Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele. McIlroy will be seeking to complete the career grand slam, while Rahm and Schauffele are hoping to win their maiden major. Both storylines are prominent in the pre-game chatter.
The third and final top morning group has 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed, alongside Daniel Berger, and Paul Casey. They go off at 10:54 am.
A hat trick of late afternoon marquee groups will anchor Thursday’s round, including reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChamebau, alongside Max Homa, and Aussie Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters winner (1:36 pm).
They’ll be followed by another pair of Americans in Tony Finau and Justin Thomas, the recent winner of the PLAYERS, as well as South African Louis Oosthuizen at 1:48 pm.
And finally, cleaning up at 2:00 pm will be three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, alongside Aussie Cameron Smith, and reigning PGA Champ Collin Morikawa.
The Skinny
The Masters Tournament
Dates: April 8-11, 2021
Where: Augusta, Ga.
Course: Augusta National GC
Distance: Par 72, 7435 yards
Architect: Alister McKenzie, Bobby Jones
Format: 72-holes, Stroke play
Field: 88 players by invitation
Purse: $11,500,000
Winning Share: $2,070,000
Defending Champion: Dustin Johnson
Featured Groups
Round 1
10:30am – Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Tyler Strafaci (a)
10:42am – Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm
10:54am – Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger, Paul Casey
01:36pm – Bryson DeChambeau, Adam Scott, Max Homa
01:48pm – Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Thomas
02:00pm – Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Smith
Round 2
10:30am – Bryson DeChambeau, Adam Scott, Max Homa
10:42am – Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Thomas
10:54am – Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Smith
01:36pm – Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Tyler Strafaci (a)
01:48pm – Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm
02:00pm – Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger, Paul Casey
How To Follow The Masters
Television – Thu, 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Fri, 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Sat 3-7 p.m. (CBS); Sun 2-7 p.m. (CBS)
Simulcast – Thu, 3-7:30 p.m.; Fri, 3-7:30 p.m.; Sat 3-7 p.m.; Sun 2-7 p.m.
Featured Groups – 4 Groups (two morning, two afternoon), 18 holes
Holes Nos. 4, 5 & 6 – Thu, 9:25 a.m.-6:45 p.m.; Fri, 9:25 a.m.-6:45 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amen Corner – Thu, 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri, 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
Holes Nos. 15 & 16 – Thu, 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri, 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 12:30-6:30 p.m.; Sun 12:30-6:30 p.m.
On The Range – Mon, 12-2 p.m.; Tue, 9-11 a.m.; Wed, 9-11 a.m.; Thu 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Fri, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Sat, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
LINKS: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook