Masters Golf Tournament Opens Play Today

78th Masters Tees Off Today

(Augusta, GA) -- The 78th edition of The Masters tees off from famed Augusta National today. Defending champion Adam Scott and PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner will play with amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick for the first two rounds. Former Masters champ Bubba Watson is paired with Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, while three-time winner Phil Mickelson will play his first two rounds with Ernie Els and Justin Rose.

Stewart Cink and Tim Clark are part of the first group that tees off at 7:45 a.m. The iconic trio of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus will hit their honorary tee shots at 7:40 a.m. World number-one Tiger Woods is not playing in The Masters for the first time in 20 years as he recovers from surgery to correct a pinched nerve in his back. Woods is a four-time Masters winner and 14-time major champion, four behind Nicklaus' all-time record of 18.