Rory McIlroy has been handed a prime mid-morning tee time as he prepares to defend his Masters crown at Augusta National, a year after completing his career Grand Slam in emotional fashion. The Northern Irishman, who secured the green jacket with a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose in 2025, will begin his title defence at 10.31am local time (3.31pm BST) on Thursday.
McIlroy's Quest for Back-to-Back Masters Glory
McIlroy is set to partner with Players Champion Cameron Young and 2025 US Amateur winner Mason Howell in a high-profile grouping. He aims to become only the fourth golfer in history to win consecutive Masters titles, following legends Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Sir Nick Faldo. The last player to achieve this feat was Woods in 2001-2002, making McIlroy's bid a historic opportunity.
Star-Studded Pairings and Tee Times
Ahead of McIlroy's group, the in-form duo of Bryson DeChambeau and Matt Fitzpatrick will tee off at 10.07am (3.07pm BST) alongside two-time major winner Xander Schauffele. Other notable pairings include 2023 champion Jon Rahm, who starts at 1.08pm (6.08pm BST) with Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg and Chris Gotterup, a two-time PGA Tour winner this season.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Masters winner in the past four years, is scheduled for a 1.44pm (6.44pm BST) start with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and recent Texas Children's Houston Open champion Gary Woodland. The tournament field features 91 competitors, with John Keefer and Haotong Li kicking off the main event at 7.40am (12.40pm BST) as a two-ball.
Honorary Starters and Tournament Traditions
The Masters will commence at 7.25am (12.25pm BST) with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson teeing off at the first hole. This trio boasts a combined 11 green jackets and over 140 appearances at Augusta, symbolising the event's rich heritage. McIlroy's emotional victory last year, marked by tears of joy as he celebrated with wife Erica Stoll, added a poignant chapter to Masters lore, and his defence is eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide.
