AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on from the 13th hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
A tradition unlike any other - the Masters is back this week at Augusta National. And it comes at a time when pro golf needs a shot in the arm. Tiger Woods lifted the sport's popularity unlike any player in its history. Even though we see less and less of Tiger Woods due to his age, health and injuries, the sport remained pretty healthy until recently.
However, the defection of many of the sport's stars to the lucrative Saudi based LIV golf league has hurt the PGA. And the newness of LIV seems to be fading from public interest. Since both LIV and PGA superstars who have earned invites to the Masters can play together it will be interesting to see if Masters ratings on CBS shoot back up to their norms, or if they lag because there has been real damage to the sport.
If there is one event that can unite golf it is, ironically, the very exclusive Masters that may be able to pull it off. Let's review the great history of the event with Masters Trivia on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida. After all, it is a tradition unlike any other.
A TRADITION UNLIKE ANY OTHER
- Who won the most Green Jackets? Jack Nicklaus 6
- Who won the first Masters? Horton Smith. He won $1500
- Who completed the career Grand Slam at the Masters? Gene Sarazen
- Who is the first to win in a sudden death playoff? Fuzzy Zoeller
- Who won last year? Jon Rahm
- Who won when, because of Covid, the Masters was played in the fall? Dustin Johnson
- Who is the oldest to win the Masters? Jack Nicklaus 46
- The year Tiger won by 12 shots he had a horrible front 9 on Thursday. What did he shoot? 40
- The most runner ups? Jack Nicklaus
- The most runner ups without winning? Tom Weiskopf
2024 Masters Round 1 and 2 Groupings and Tee Times Announced
The field is set for the 2024 Masters Tournament, as now we have the Masters Round 1 and 2 groupings and tee times, with golf's first Major of the year teeing off Thursday.
(Note: This story has been updated to reflect delayed start times for Thursday's opening round due to weather.)
The defending champion Jon Rahm will start the defense of his title at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Nick Dunlap joining him on the course.
Play begins with the traditional honorary starters teeing off at 10:10 a.m. Thursday (previously 7:40), as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson will hold the honors again this year.
As always, everyone will be following Tiger Woods, who heads to the course at 3:54 p.m. on Thursday, with Jason Day and Max Homa in the group.
The 1:12 p.m. grouping on Thursday has some serious power, with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele all going out together.
The first official group of the day will be just a pairing, with Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp going out at 10:30 a.m. (previously at 8 a.m.). And the final group of the day on Thursday will be Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood teeing off at 4:30 p.m., which will pose problems with finishing on time.
Friday's groupings are all the same, but times will flip, as noted below.
Here's a look at the Masters Round 1 and 2 groupings and tee time, with Friday start times noted in parenthesis below each grouping:
