Photo: EFE
The Masters returns Thursday with the 85th edition of the tournament underway at Augusta National with Dustin Johnson looking to become just the fourth ever to defend his title in a consecutive tournament.
The first round of the 2021 Masters has begun with 88 golfers trying to get his green jacket but there are three players marked as favorites: Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.
For the opening Lee Elder, the first Black man to play in the Masters (in 1975), joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as honorary starters on the first tee at Augusta National Golf Club. Elder uses a cane to walk and an oxygen tank to help him breathe, so he didn’t hit a ceremonial tee shot.
Photo: EFE
The 88-man field that will take on the course beginning Thursday is star-studded with nearly all of the best golfers in the world competing.
The Thursday pairings started at 8:00 am with Michael Thompson and Hudson Swafford and will finish at 2:00 pm with Jordan Spieth, Cameron Smith and Collin Morikawa.

