Masters 2013: Most Exciting Tournament Pairings for First and Second Rounds

Part of the beauty of the Masters experience—and most other golfing events—is inherent in the idea that competitors will be playing with each other in pairings over the course of the event. 

The 2013 Masters is no different, the selection committee always seems to come through when giving us pairings for the first two rounds at Augusta. After the cut, the players will be matched based on scores alone, but the first two rounds give us insight into the mind of the selection committee and what it wants fans to see. 

This year's pairings do not disappoint. 

Released on Tuesday via PGATour.com, this year's list of first- and second-round pairings provide us with some wide-ranging looks at talent, age and major experience—all in three-man groups. No doubt all eyes will be on Tiger Woods as he looks to capture his fifth green jacket, but there are also group matchups sure to bring the kind of viewership that helps make the Masters special. 

Check out all of the pairings, storylines and potential great moments in the link above, but keep reading for the most exciting pairings on Thursday and Friday at the 77th Masters at Augusta National. 

Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley and Fredrik Jacobson (1:41 p.m Thursday, 10:34 a.m. Friday)

Anytime McIlroy and Bradley face off in the same pairing, we will be reminded of the 2012 Ryder Cup. 

Riding a 3-0 mark into his singles match with McIlroy, Bradley looked poised to give the Americans an important victory in Ryder Cup play. All the odds were stacked against the World No. 1, including being late to the course after a time malfunction. 

In a thrilling match (recapped by The Australian), McIlroy managed to birdie several holes from the No. 4 hole on, capping a match that helped the European team eventually capture the Ryder Cup trophy after it looked like the United States had won the Cup going away. 

Bet that Bradley remembers that one-on-one match. 

McIlroy has struggled a bit in 2013, but still finished second at the Texas Open and is coming into the tournament with something to prove after losing the World No. 1 Ranking to Tiger Woods. Bradley, on the other hand, has been the victim of the belly putter debate (via ESPN) over the course of the year, but is still an emotional, passionate golfer looking for his second career major. 

Throw in Fredrick Jacobson, a long-time tour pro who has never finished in the Top 10 at the Masters in three career tries, and this group should be a solid close to the day on Thursday (only one group will start after this threesome). 

Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter and Steven Fox (a) (10:34 a.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday)

Anytime Bubba Watson is in a pairing, excitement will likely follow. 

No doubt you've seen Watson's hovercraft golf cart video, not to mention the hilarity that is his Twitter account (a must-follow!). Toss in the fact that Watson is the defending Masters champion, and he's set for a roller coaster ride during these four days at Augusta. 

Joining him will be Ian Poulter—another legend from the 2012 Ryder Cup—and Steven Fox, winner of the U.S. Amateur tournament. The youngster will be thrown right into the fire with the reigning champion and Poulter, who are both noted for big moments during the course of their careers. 

While the difference in talent will likely be noticeable with Fox, you shouldn't sleep on youngsters at this event. It would be foolish to sleep on Watson or Poulter, as well, making for an exciting pairing in the opening two rounds of the tournament. 

Maybe Watson will even convince Augusta to pull out the hovercraft golf cart on a hole or two. 

Ben Crenshaw, Tianlang Guan and Matteo Manassero (12:24 p.m Thursday, 9:06 a.m. Friday)

If you're looking for heartwarming stories, this pairing could be the cream of the crop. 

Ben Crenshaw, the two-time Masters champion and 61-year-old will be paired with two golfers who aren't even in their 20s. Tianlang Guan (14) and Matteo Manassero (19) are putting the youth back into Augusta National, and will be paired up with a green jacket legend as they both try to make the cut. 

Crenshaw will be making his 42nd straight appearance in the Masters, but the young studs playing in his group are threatening to steal the show. 

According to Crenshaw, the youngest golfer in attendance has a better-than-good chance (via Shane Bacon on Twitter):

It's never easy to compete against a legend like Crenshaw, but the 14-year-old has captured headlines, the attention of his fellow pair mates and even the eye of Tiger Woods (via the Washington Post). Manassero himself is no slouch, currently the youngest golfer to ever win a European Tour event. 

Per the usual at the Masters, expect the unexpected and this pairing certainly qualifies for that mantra. It should be an exciting opening to the action on Thursday as all of these golfers start their quest for the 77th green jacket. 

Note: All times for pairings are Eastern, unless noted otherwise.