2025 Masters Tournament Tees Off at Augusta

The Masters Tournament teed off Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, drawing the world's top golfers and a surge of fan excitement as defending champion Rory McIlroy aims to repeat his 2025 victory. The 89th edition of the prestigious event features a field of 93 players vying for the green jacket, with firm greens and challenging conditions expected to test precision and strategy amid mild spring weather.

Jordan Spieth, the 2015 winner, expressed optimism about his form during a Wednesday media session, describing it as the best it has felt in years heading into the tournament. The 30-year-old Texan, who has struggled with consistency since his last PGA Tour win in April 2022, highlighted improvements in his overall game but noted concerns with his putting after a recent outing at the Valero Texas Open. Spieth predicted a tough setup at Augusta, with fast, firm greens that may turn brown and crusty due to forecasted warmth, emphasizing the need for accurate approaches from the fairway to hold the slick surfaces. "It's going to be probably a more challenging green-in-regulation year," he said.

The week kicked off with the annual Champions Dinner on Tuesday, hosted...