Overview
- The 90th Masters begins Thursday at Augusta with a 91-player field, tee times set for Rory McIlroy at 10:31 a.m. ET and Scottie Scheffler at 1:44 p.m., and without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson.
- McIlroy starts his title defense seeking the first back-to-back win at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001–02.
- World No. 1 Scheffler enters as the betting favorite for a third green jacket, with Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Xander Schauffele among the top contenders.
- A dry, sunny forecast points to firm, fast greens, raising the value of precise iron play and course know-how.
- DeChambeau said he plans to use a 3D-printed 5-iron, which officials had not approved as of Wednesday.