The 2024 Masters commenced in Augusta, Georgia, after a delay of 2 1/2 hours due to inclement weather, with ceremonial tee shots taken by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player at the first hole, Tea Olive, of Augusta National.
Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp were the first players to begin their rounds, followed by various groups, including defending champion Jon Rahm, Nick Dunlap, and Matt Fitzpatrick, teeing off at 1 p.m. Scottie Scheffler followed in the next group, while five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods had a later start time at 3:54 p.m.
Despite the ongoing divide between PGA Tour luminaries and those affiliated with the LIV Golf league, the allure of Augusta’s blossoming azaleas, Amen Corner, and the Hogan Bridge has attracted a field of 89 competitors vying for the prestigious green jacket. Here’s the latest information as the Masters progresses:
In 1963, Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod served as the initial honorary starters. However, it wasn’t until 1981, when Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen assumed the role, that it became a revered tradition. Following the honorary starters, the remaining players tee off in groups of three, as announced on Tuesday. After the second round, the top 50 players and those tied with them advance to the weekend and are grouped based on their scores for the final two rounds.
The 2024 Masters tournament can be streamed live on its website throughout the day, featuring highlights from various holes and groups. ESPN airs coverage of the first two rounds, starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, while CBS broadcasts the final two rounds on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Additionally, the tournament can be streamed on ESPN+, Paramount+, and Fubo+.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Scheffler, the reigning champion from 2022 and the current world No. 1 player, leads as the favorite with odds of 4-1. McIlroy is given odds of 10-1 to end his decade-long drought in major championships.
Rahm’s odds stand at 11-1 for a potential back-to-back victory. Schauffele closely follows at 14-1, while the 2021 Masters champion, Hideki Matsuyama, and the reigning PGA Championship winner, Brooks Koepka, both hold odds of 20-1. Woods’ odds are placed at 150-1.
Additionally, various proposition bets are available, such as the probability of Woods making a birdie or better on the first hole (8-1), and whether both Woods and McIlroy will finish within the top 20 of the 2024 Masters tournament (9-2).
Scheffler‘s dominance is evident, with certain sportsbooks even offering bets on him versus the entire field. He recently clinched victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second time in March, followed by making history as the first player ever to defend his title at The Players Championship a week later. Additionally, he finished tied for second at the Houston Open a few weeks ago.
Rahm has showcased impressive form, achieving a tied-for-fourth finish at the LIV Golf event in Miami last Sunday. Koepka encountered difficulties at the same tournament, finishing 7 over par and tying for 45th place. Jordan Spieth bounced back from recent missed cuts at The Players and the Valspar Championship to tie for 10th at the Texas Open last weekend. Meanwhile, McIlroy concluded with a score of 66 in the same tournament, securing third place and gathering momentum.
Rahm exhibited resilience as he became the fourth Spaniard to clinch victory at the Masters. He began by sharing the lead in the first round with Koepka and Viktor Hovland. Despite interruptions during the second round due to impending thunderstorms, Rahm remained competitive, with play paused when three large pine trees collapsed near the 17th tee.
Heavy rain on Saturday also resulted in play being suspended, and Rahm resumed on Sunday trailing Koepka by four strokes. Nonetheless, he managed to narrow the gap by the end of the third round. Rahm’s final-round performance, scoring 69, propelled him to a four-shot lead over the struggling Koepka and the beloved Phil Mickelson. Mickelson’s concluding round of 65, achieved at the age of 52, established him as the oldest player to finish in the top five.
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