Masters Tournament 2025 Set for Thrilling Opening Rounds

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tee times and pairings for the first two rounds of the 2025 Masters Tournament were released on Tuesday, igniting excitement among golf fans. The prestigious tournament will begin on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club, featuring some of the world’s top golfers.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will initiate his title defense at 10:15 a.m. ET, playing alongside fellow American Justin Thomas and Spanish amateur Josele Ballester. Scheffler aims to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back Masters titles.

“It’s a special place, and defending my title here means a lot to me,” said Scheffler, who has already claimed two majors in the past three years. “The pressure is on, but I’m excited to compete against such a strong field.”

Rory McIlroy, a prominent contender seeking his first Masters title and the career Grand Slam, will tee off at 1:12 p.m. ET. He will be joined by last year’s runner-up Ludvig Åberg and American Akshay Bhatia. McIlroy is coming off victories at both the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and THE PLAYERS Championship, boosting his momentum ahead of the tournament.

“Each year, this tournament holds a special significance for me,” McIlroy stated. “It would mean the world to finally complete the Grand Slam here.”

The 89th Masters will also welcome a competitive field, including other major winners such as 2023 U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm, 2020 U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau, and 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry. They will all be vying for a green jacket.

As part of the traditional opening ceremony, golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson will participate in the Honorary Starter ceremony at 7:25 a.m. ET on Thursday, marking the tournament’s official commencement.

Here’s a closer look at key pairings and tee times for the Masters first round (all times ET):

9:47 a.m. – Collin Morikawa, Joaquin Niemann, Min Woo Lee

10:15 a.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Josele Ballester (A)

10:26 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, Tyrrell Hatton

11:34 a.m. – Jon Rahm, Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood

1:12 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, Akshay Bhatia

1:23 p.m. – Bryson DeChambeau, Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry

With expectations high, the golf world is eager to witness who will emerge as the champion. The Masters promises to deliver another unforgettable experience as the players get set for the prestigious tournament.