Masters 2015 Tee Times: Pairings and Predictions for Thursday

The tee times and groupings for the start of the 2015 Masters are out, and there are a number of exciting and storyline-filled pairings worth tuning in to during the opening rounds.

Looking for pairings that feature multiple-time green-jacket winners alongside some of the field's biggest favorites? There are a few that fit the demographic. But while not nearly as obvious, there are also a handful of groups that are capable of stealing the spotlight.

At a course like Augusta National and a stage like the Masters, getting off to a strong start in Day 1 can make all the difference. So let's go ahead and predict how three of the most marquee groups will do for Thursday's first round.

2015 Masters Day 1 Tee Times

Day 1 Tee Time (ET)	Golfer 1	Golfer 2	Golfer 3
7:45 a.m.	Charley Hoffman	Brian Harman
7:56 a.m.	Larry Mize	Danny Willett	Byron Meth
8:07 a.m.	Tom Watson	Gary Woodland	Camilo Villegas
8:18 a.m.	Mike Weir	Ben Crane	Corey Conners
8:29 a.m.	Vijay Singh	Russell Henley	Darren Clarke
8:40 a.m.	Jose Maria Olazabal	Brendon Todd	Kevin Na
8:51 a.m.	Jonas Blixt	Kevin Streelman	Stephen Gallacher
9:02 a.m.	Patrick Reed	Keegan Bradley	Ian Poulter
9:13 a.m.	Miguel Angel Jimenez	Lee Westwood	Anirban Lahiri
9:24 a.m.	Bubba Watson	Justin Rose	Gunn Yang
9:35 a.m.	Adam Scott	Dustin Johnson	Antonio Murdaca
9:57 a.m.	Morgan Hoffman	Steve Strticker	Matt Every
10:08 a.m.	Ben Crenshaw	Bill Haas	Jason Dufner
10:19 a.m.	Webb Simpson	Hideki Matsuyama	Paul Casey
10:30 a.m.	Charl Schwartzel	Joost Luiten	Sang-moon Bae
10:41 a.m.	Phil Mickelson	Rory McIlroy	Ryan Moore
10:52 a.m.	J.B. Holmes	Martin Kaymer	Brandt Snedeker
11:03 a.m.	Ian Woosnam	Erik Compton	Marc Leishman
11:14 a.m.	Trevor Immelman	Kevin Stadler	Scott Harvey
11:25 a.m.	Ben Martin	Robert Streb	Cameron Tringale
11:36 a.m.	Sandy Lyle	Seung-yul Noh	Bradley Neil
11:47 a.m.	Bernhard Langer	Bernd Wiesberger	Geoff Ogilvy
12:09 p.m.	Zach Johnson	Jim Furyk	Ernie Els
12:20 p.m.	Angel Cabrera	Louis Oosthuizen	Matias Dominguez
12:31 p.m.	Mark O'Meara	Chris Kirk	Shane Lowry
12:42 p.m.	Padraig Harrington	Ryan Palmer	Thomas Bjorn
12:53 p.m.	Jams Hahn	Mikko Illonen	Hunter Mahan
1:04 p.m.	Matt Kuchar	Brooks Koepka	Graeme McDowell
1:15 p.m.	Jordan Spieth	Henrik Stenson	Billy Horschel
1:26 p.m.	Fred Couples	Branden Grace	Thongchai Jaidee
1:37 p.m.	Luke Donald	Victor Dubuisson	John Senden
1:48 p.m.	Tiger Woods	Jamie Donaldson	Jimmy Walker
1:59 p.m.	Jason Day	Sergio Garcia	Rickie Fowler

Predictions for Top Stars

Jordan Spieth

George Bridges/Associated Press

After what took place last year at Augusta and what followed for the rest of his season, one could guess that Jordan Spieth was itching to get to his second Masters. The following tweet doesn't disprove that:

Spieth has been destined for a run at the 2015 Masters ever since Bubba Watson overtook him entering the back nine Sunday of last year, as the youngster aimed to become the youngest to ever win the Masters. There's nothing young about his game, as he showed with two PGA Tour wins since December 4 and a spectacular performance at the Ryder Cup.

To help him even more, Spieth comes in ultra-confident after a playoff loss to J.B. Holmes in the weekend's Houston Open. No stranger to pressure-packed moments, Spieth is becoming more and more comfortable on the big stage, per ESPN's Jason Sobel:

The 21-year-old opens late Thursday afternoon with Henrik Stenson and Billy Horschel, so he'll be surrounded with heavy-hitting and aggressive players like himself from the opening tee. That will only help Spieth to amp up his intensity even more, as he attacks hole placements and greens he became accustomed to last year for a huge opening round.

Prediction: Spieth shoots 4-under 68, tied for lead

Tiger Woods

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

What's a realistic Day 1 score for Tiger Woods at the Masters?

It's safe to say that question has never carried quite the feel that it does entering 2015, not after Woods had to make an unlikely nine-week comeback from an indefinite break. It feels like ages since he's won a major championship, and like years since he's truly contended on the back nine during the final day of a major.

But he's been fighting to get his game back together in time for the year's first major and a course where he's won four times, as SportsCenter noted from his media availability Tuesday:

"

"I worked my a** off. That's the easiest way to put it." - Tiger Woods on his return to the Masters #LIVEonSC. pic.twitter.com/v3SE86ezcz

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 7, 2015"

Woods has said all the right things before entering a major, leaving him as a chief favorite only to either miss the cut or disappoint entirely. But perhaps stepping away to focus on his game—on the heels of some valuable recovery time over the last year-plus—has paid dividends enough to mount a career turnaround.

If early-week reports from Sobel are any indication, he's starting to rediscover his old form:

It's simply too much to expect Woods to contend late into Sunday, with some of the game's big hitters peaking and a more competitive field than ever before. But even in Woods' struggles over the last eight years, his familiarity with the Masters often allows him to stick around.

Some rust is to be expected from Woods on Day 1, but if the rumblings are any indication, some of his old magic should also be expected. And playing in one of the latest tee times of the day shouldn't hurt. 

Either way, a 72 for the first day of the Masters will be a welcomed sight for golf fans.

Prediction: Woods shoots even-par 72

Dustin Johnson

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Few golfers come into Augusta hotter than Dustin Johnson.

Since taking a long break late in 2014, Johnson has returned with a vengeance this season with a handful of top finishes. He finished in the top five at Pebble Beach and the Northern Trust Open, before winning his 10th PGA Tour event at WGC-Cadillac in March.

He doesn't have a finish better than 13th at the Masters, but has top-five finishes at all three other majors. His powerful drive—Johnson averages 318.8 yards per drive, tops in the PGA Tour—will make up for a less-than-average short game that has a way of coming together during certain majors.

The weather will help Johnson more than anything on Thursday. There's a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms according to Weather.com, which will allow Johnson to take even more advantage of his power and limit opponents' abilities to make up strokes on the greens.

Johnson will join a fellow hard-hitter in Spieth atop the Day 1 leaderboard after a soggy day.

Prediction: Johnson shoots four-under 68, tied for lead