On Thursday afternoon, Swedish time, as usual, the legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson stand on the first tee and offer a ceremonial start.
Here’s a guide to what’s next:
The snack ice creams
As always, Tiger Woods gets a big following. He sensationally won his fifth major in 2019, something that made a huge impact. Tormented and bothered by the injuries after the severe car crash, it will be an achievement if he clears the qualifying line after two rounds.
— I don’t know how many more (visits) I have in me. It is such a special place. It means so much to me to come here, play on this course and just cherish all the memories I have from here,” said Woods.
Another question is how the breakaways who have chosen to play on the LIV tour are received by the audience. Among the current names are stars and former winners such as Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson.
The LIV players were given the right to play the year’s first major in December.
The Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has previously been hard on the breakaways, but downplays the criticism.
— I think this competition is bigger than all that. The Masters, all four majors, are above all that noise and that’s how it should be this week, he says.
Swedish element
For a long time there were around a handful of Swedes ready to hit the first tee, but Swedish men’s golf is not what it once was. Alex Norén is the only blue-yellow feature at Augusta National.
Hottest favorites
Who gets to put on the green jacket on Sunday? As always, there are many who have the capacity to hit really low scores. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler won last year and is seen as a clear candidate for victory. Rory McIlroy and John Rahm are other favourites. Cameron Smith, the British Open winner this summer, cannot be counted out. With several.
Balls to keep an eye on during Thursday’s first round
14.36: Fred Couples, Russel Henley, Alex Norén
16.18: Tiger Woods, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland
16.42: Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Cameron Young
19.24: Matthew Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris
19.36: Sam Bennett (amateur), Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler
19.48: Sam Burns, Tom Kim, Rory McIlroy
8 p.m.: Tony Finau, Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood.
Then the competition is followed on television
Kanal 9 and Discovery+ broadcast from 17.00 Thursday to Sunday. Discovery+ also has special broadcasts that follow certain balls and holes.
Sources: TT, AP, AFP, Aftonbladet.