AUGUSTA: Clear skies and cool conditions greeted the early starters as the Masters got underway on Thursday with defending champion Scottie Scheffler yet to tee off and Rory McIlroy, needing a win to complete the career Grand Slam, among the late starters.
Honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson led off one of the most anticipated days in golf in front of a large crowd of patrons gathered around the first hole as the sun rose above pristine Augusta National Golf Club.
Among those setting off early, with temperatures around 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9.4 degrees Celsius), are former champions Mike Weir, Zach Johnson, Danny Willett and twice winner Bernhard Langer, who is making his 41st and final Masters start.