The Masters tee instances: Rory McIlroy grouped alongside Ludvig Åberg as Scottie Scheffler drawn with Justin Thomas | Golf Information

Rory McIlroy has been grouped alongside Ludvig Åberg and Akshay Bhatia for the primary two rounds of his newest bid to finish the profession Grand Slam at The Masters.

McIlroy, who wants victory at Augusta Nationwide to grow to be simply the sixth participant within the trendy period to win all 4 majors, has been given a late-early draw as he searches for a primary main success in 11 years.

The world No 2 – already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2025 – will play alongside left-handed debutant Bhatia and Ryder Cup team-mate Åberg, who completed joint-second to Scottie Scheffler in final 12 months’s contest, teeing off on Thursday at 1.12pm (6.12pm UK time).

Scheffler is within the different half of the draw as he begins his bid to grow to be the primary back-to-back winner since Tiger Woods, with the two-time Masters champion beginning his title defence alongside former world No 1 Justin Thomas and US Newbie champion Jose Luis Ballester.

The world No 1 goes out within the morning wave on Thursday at 10.15am native time (3.15pm BST), with Collin Morikawa additionally out early alongside LIV Golf League participant Joaquin Niemann and final month’s Texas Kids’s Houston Open champion Min Woo Lee.

Xander Schauffele – trying to find a 3rd main win in 4 begins – is paired with Viktor Hovland and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, whereas reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is grouped with previous main winners Hideki Matsuyama and Shane Lowry.

Different notable threeballs embody 2023 main winners Jon Rahm and Wyndham Clark going out alongside Tommy Fleetwood – a preferred decide to assert a breakthrough victory this week, with 2015 champion Jordan Spieth alongside Tom Kim and Tyrrell Hatton.

Thursday’s chosen tee instances

All UK instances; USA until said; (x) denotes amateurs

1447 Collin Morikawa, Joaquin Niemann (Chl), Min Woo Lee (Aus)

1458 Phil Mickelson, Jason Day (Aus), Keegan Bradley

1515 Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jose Luis Ballester (Esp) (x)

1526 Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim (Kor), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng)

1801 Adam Scott (Aus), Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland (Nor)

1812 Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Ludvig Åberg (Swe), Akshay Bhatia

1823 Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry (Irl)

1834 Jon Rahm (Esp), Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood (Eng)

McGinley: Quick begin wanted by McIlroy

“I do not assume who he [McIlroy] performs with is an issue or a difficulty, he’ll be extra involved whether or not it is morning or afternoon,” former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley informed Sky Sports activities Information. “Him enjoying afternoon just isn’t excellent, I would favor to see him early.

“What he is struggled with through the years is basically poor first- and second-round scoring round Augusta. Getting out the blocks is one thing he must do. Will probably be troublesome with enjoying afternoon, it is not a mega factor nevertheless it’s not excellent.

“Distraction is the large factor for Rory. He is coming in right here for the primary time with an enormous quantity of type. The large problem is making an attempt to win a serious for the primary time in 11 years, they’re huge issues that weigh closely on him.

“Scheffler is the man to beat. If Rory can end forward of him or anyone end forward of him they’re going to have a superb probability of successful that inexperienced jacket.”

When is The Masters dwell on Sky Sports activities?

Sky Sports activities Golf will likely be displaying report hours of dwell protection from the 2025 contest, together with extra motion over the ultimate two rounds than earlier years. Wall-to-wall protection from the event begins at 2pm on Thursday, with Featured Group motion and common updates till the worldwide broadcast window begins at 8pm.

The identical timings will apply on Friday, whereas a brand new addition to this 12 months’s protection sees a Masters build-up present dwell from 3pm over the weekend forward of full protection beginning at 5pm, protecting all of the motion till after the shut of play.

Sky+, Sky Q and Sky Glass will present loads of bonus feeds and help you comply with gamers’ progress by way of numerous components of Augusta’s well-known format, together with Amen Nook and extra.

Who will win The Masters? Watch all through the week dwell on Sky Sports activities. Dwell protection of the opening spherical begins with Featured Teams on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.