Rory McIlroy will have Spanish hotshot Jon Rahm and Japan's Hideto Tanihara for company when he tees off at the Masters this Thursday.
The world number two is among the late starters on day 1 at Augusta, with a 6.41pm (Irish) tee time. Both of McIlroy's playing partners are coming off the back of impressive showings at the WGC Dell Matchplay Championship just over a a week ago, but neither are very familiar with Augusta National. 22-year-old Rahm will be making his Masters debut this week, while Tanihara missed the cut on his only visit to Augusta 10 years ago.
Shane Lowry also has a late start on Thursday, getting under way at 6.19pm Irish time (1.19pm local). Lowry will have two European veterans alongside him for the opening rounds, with Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood joining him in the group.
Among the other groups, reigning champion Danny Willett goes off with American veteran Matt Kuchar and Australia's Curtis Luck, the reigning US Amateur Champion.
Before Willett can think about that though, he has the very important business of the Champions Dinner tonight. The Sheffield native has stuck to his roots, with mini cottage pies, Yorkshire roast and apple crumble on the menu. There's a bit of English cheese to munch on once all of that settles.
Champions dinner by Yorkshire 🥂🴠pic.twitter.com/H2uMSE2sZR
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) April 4, 2017
World number 1 Dustin Johnson is favoured by many to claim his second major title this week, and he'll be in the final group to tee off on Thursday, joining two time champion Bubba Watson and USPGA Winner Jimmy Walker on the tee box.
2015 champion Jordan Spieth will be looking for redemption after his Sunday meltdown last year, and he's part of an exciting group which also contains twice major winner Martin Kaymer and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick, who finished in a tie for seventh in just his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago.
