Only three golfers have pulled of a repeat win at The Masters.
If Dustin Johnson can become the fourth, he’ll surely have the most unique entry into the exclusive club.
For starters, the 36-year-old posted a record 20-under-par at Augusta National course in November, after the tournament was delayed due to COVID-19.
Now back at course seeking his second green jacket — going back-to-back would put him alongside Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods in the history books — and a third career major win, Johnson’s path won’t be any easier.
He will begin his quest Thursday morning, as one of the featured groups on ESPN+.
Jordan Spieth looks to have turned a page after ending a 3 1/2-year winless drought at last week’s Valero Texas Open. Rory McIlory has plenty of inspiration as he tries to end an arduous Grand Slam chase. Eighth-ranked Brooks Kopeka will fight through the pain following knee surgery on March 16. Bryson DeChambeau’s muscled-up game has endured a learning curve. Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and Justin Thomas will be in the hunt, as well.
The five-time champ Woods, recovering from a February car crash, will not be in the field this week, though his presence will be felt in between the azaleas.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of The Masters 2021:
When is The Masters 2021?
Play begins on Thursday, Apr. 7 at 8 a.m. Round 2 begins on Friday, Round 3 on Saturday, and Round 4 on Sunday.
Where is the The Masters?
Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
How can I watch The Masters?
Thursday and Friday live coverage will be broadcast on ESPN from 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
CBS will air Round 3 on Saturday (3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) and the final round on Sunday (2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
ESPN+ subscribers will get access to several live streams, including:
• Featured Groups: coverage of two groups in the morning and two groups in the afternoon (simultaneously) on Thursday-Sunday (including during CBS windows)
• Thursday’s featured Groups will be Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland and Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Tyler Strafaci in the morning. The afternoon featured groups will be Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, Cameron Smith, Collin Morikawa.
• Amen Corner
• First-to-last ball coverage of Holes 11, 12 and 13 on Thursday-Sunday (including during CBS windows)
• Holes 4, 5, and 6
• First-to-last ball coverage of Holes 4, 5 and 6 (including during CBS windows)
• Single feed covering the three holes (i.e., coverage bounces between them; not feeds for each hole)
• Holes 15 and 16
• First-to-last ball coverage of Holes 15 and 16 on Thursday-Sunday (including during CBS windows)
Who are the favorites to win?
Dustin Johnson is a favorite to repeat per BetMGM, with Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Jordan Speith expected to be challenging closely. Here’s a full look at the odds:
Dustin Johnson (+900)
Justin Thomas (+1000)
Bryson DeChambeau (+1100)
Jon Rahm (+1100)
Jordan Spieth (+1100)
Rory McIlroy (+1800)
Patrick Cantlay (+2000)
Xavier. Schauffele (+2200)
Brookss Koepka (+2800)
Collin Morikawa (+3300)
When are tee times?
Tee times for Thursday and Friday are available, with the final two rounds coming after Friday’s cuts.
Thursday – Friday — Players
8 a.m.-11:06 a.m. — Michael Thompson, Hudson Swafford
8:12 a.m.-11:18 a.m. — Sandy Lyle, Matt Jones, Dylan Frittelli
8:24 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Ian Woosnam, Jim Herman, Stewart Cink
8:36 a.m.-11:42 a.m. — Sebastian Munoz, Henrik Stenson, Robert Streb
8:48 a.m.-11:54 a.m. — Bernhard Langer, Will Zalatoris, a-Joe Long
9 a.m.-12:12 p.m. — Brian Harman, Ian Poulter, Brendon Todd
9:12 a.m.-12:24 p.m. — Charl Schwartzel, Si Woo Kim, Corey Conners
9:24 a.m.-12:36 p.m. — Danny Willett, Joaquin Niemann, Kevin Kisner
9:36 a.m.-12:48 p.m. — Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Cameron Champ
9:48 a.m.-1 p.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Harris English, Abraham Ancer
10:06 a.m.-1:12 p.m. — Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland
10:18 a.m.-1:24 p.m. — Sergio Garcia, Webb Simpson, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
10:30 a.m.-1:36 p.m. — Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, a-Tyler Strafaci
10:42 a.m.-1:48 p.m. — Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy
10:54 a.m.-2 p.m. — Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger, Paul Casey
11:06 a.m.-8 a.m. — Vijay Singh, Martin Laird
11:18 a.m.-8:12 a.m. — Larry Mize, Jimmy Walker, Brian Gay
11:30 a.m.-8:24 a.m. — Carlos Ortiz, Mackenzie Hughes, Bernd Wiesberger
11:42 a.m.-8:36 a.m. — Mike Weir, C.T. Pan, Robert MacIntyre
11:54 a.m.-8:48 a.m. — Jose Maria Olazabal, Matt Wallace, Lanto Griffin
12:12 p.m.-9 a.m. — Victor Perez, Jason Kokrak, Marc Leishman
12:24 p.m.-9:12 a.m. — Fred Couples, Francesco Molinari, a-Charles Osborne
12:36 p.m.-9:24 a.m. — Zach Johnson, Kevin Na, Gary Woodland
12:48 p.m.-9:36 a.m. — Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar
1 p.m.-9:48 a.m. — Billy Horschel, Tyrrell Hatton, Ryan Palmer
1:12 p.m.-10:06 a.m. — Phil Mickelson, Tommy Fleetwood, Scottie Scheffler
1:24 p.m.-10:18 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Sungjae Im, Matt Fitzpatrick
1:36 p.m.-10:30 a.m. — Adam Scott, Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa
1:48 p.m.-10:42 a.m. — Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Thomas
2 p.m.-10:54 a.m. — Jordan Spieth, Cameron Smith, Collin Morikawa
Will fans be allowed at Augusta National for The Master 2021?
A normal Masters tournament sees an estimated 40,000-50,000 fans on site daily, per Golf Digest, but COVID-19 kept any from the 2020 tournament. This year, coronavirus cautions will limit the number of onlookers — though officials haven’t given a cap — who will be required to wear masks.
