Masters 2015: Tee Times, Dates, TV Schedule and Prize Money
For professional golfers, few feats measure up to winning the Masters and taking home the coveted green jacket, earning a place in the sport's greatest fraternity. Although, doing so means navigating 72 treacherous holes at Augusta National.
While the Georgia landscape provides a breathtaking backdrop to the year's first major, the course will test the mettle of the world's best players, as danger lies around every corner.
Augusta National is chock-full of hazards waiting to engulf any errant shots, and none are more infamous than Rae's Creek within Amen Corner—a stretch of three holes that has dashed the hopes of many golfers attempting to win the tournament.
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Two particular members of this year's field will be tackling Amen Corner and looking to claim a victory for other significant reasons. Tiger Woods returns to action and is aiming to get his career back on track following a bevy of injuries and swing alterations. Rory McIlroy needs a win at Augusta National to complete the career Grand Slam—a feat only six other players have ever accomplished.
Those storylines only make the impending tournament even more compelling, so as we anxiously await the commencement of this storied event, let's take a look at its essential viewing information, prize money and some notable Thursday tee times.
2015 Masters Tournament
Dates: Thursday, April 9 - Sunday, April 12
Where: Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia
Purse: $9 million (winning share: $1.62 million)
FedEx Cup Points: 600 to winner
TV Info:
- Thursday and Friday: 3-7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Saturday: 3-7 p.m. ET, CBS
- Sunday: 2-7 p.m. ET, CBS
Notable Thursday Tee Times
| Patrick Reed | 9:02 a.m. |
| Bubba Watson | 9:24 a.m. |
| Justin Rose | 9:24 a.m. |
| Adam Scott | 9:35 a.m. |
| Dustin Johnson | 9:35 a.m. |
| Phil Mickelson | 10:41 a.m. |
| Rory McIlroy | 10:41 a.m. |
| Matt Kuchar | 1:04 p.m. |
| Jordan Spieth | 1:15 p.m. |
| Henrik Stenson | 1:15 p.m. |
| Tiger Woods | 1:48 p.m. |
| Jimmie Walker | 1:48 p.m. |
| Jason Day | 1:59 p.m. |
| Sergio Garcia | 1:59 p.m. |
| Rickie Fowler | 1:59 p.m. |
Tee times can be viewed at PGATour.com.
Stars to Watch
Not only is McIlroy looking to complete the career Grand Slam, but the Northern Irishman is aiming to win his third consecutive major, having emerged victorious in the Open Championship and PGA Championship in 2014.
Six golfers have previously notched golf's Grand Slam, and McIlroy is hoping for a place among legends. The short list includes Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Woods. The world No. 1 shared his thoughts on what's at stake during a press conference, via ESPN.com:
"What's at stake? A place in history. I think it's the big thing for me. Six other golfers have won a career Grand Slam. To join that list, you're getting up there with the pinnacle of what you can achieve in sport.
To write your name in the history books like that is what's at stake. That's what will be at stake in future years at Augusta if I don't win it this year, but the sooner I get it out of the way, the better.
"
McIlroy has never finished better than his tie for eighth in 2014 at the Masters; however, he did enter the final day with the lead in 2011, only to blow his four-stroke cushion with a devastating 80. Augusta National hasn't been overly kind to him in the past, but there's no denying his ability to rise up in big tournaments.
As for Woods, he'll be looking to prove his career isn't over. He enters the Masters ranked No. 111 in the world—his lowest spot in the standings since 1995. Not only has Woods not won a tournament since his resilient 2013 campaign, but he hasn't even notched a top-10 finish since then.
Injuries, swing changes and the dreaded yips around the green have plagued Woods recently. Over his past nine starts, he either withdrew or missed the cut in a total of six tournaments. He finished no better than tied for 17th in the other three.
Bubba Watson will be looking to win his third Masters in four years, putting him in an elite group of three-time winners that includes Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson. Augusta National appears to suit the lefty's game nicely, and he isn't short on confidence at the course.
Although, Watson may have one interesting thought on his mind during this year's Masters run, as a recent ESPN survey of PGA Tour players showed he's not well-liked. During a press conference, via Ryan Ballengee of Yahoo Sports, Watson had this to say:
"I take it as I need to improve as a man. I take it with pride. I need to get better. And I think over my career, since my rookie season to now, I've gotten better. But obviously there's more room for me to improve as a man.
So if it's a bad thing and people don't like me, then I've got to improve and prove them wrong.
"
If any player in this year's field has a chance to usurp Watson and take the green jacket for himself, it may be Jordan Spieth. The 21-year-old phenom has been absolutely on fire this year, winning the Valspar Championship and notching runner-up finishes in both the Valero Texas Open and Shell Houston Open. That's quite an impressive run just before heading to Augusta National.
Keep in mind Spieth's trip to the Masters in 2014 practically put him on the map, as his consistent effort through 72 holes kept him near the top of the leaderboard and afforded him a tie for second with Jonas Blixt. Considering Spieth may be playing the best golf of his career right now, we should expect to see him well in the mix once again this year.
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