Masters Schedule 2015: Thursday Tee Times, TV Coverage, Live Stream, Predictions
An elite field of golfers is set to tee it up Thursday at Augusta National, as each participant aims to make a run at the title of Masters champion, take home the coveted green jacket and earn a spot in the sport's most prestigious fraternity.
Round 1 will have a significant impact on this year's event, as expected inclement weather appears to have tapered off from the forecast, and according to Weather.com, players should be graced with mostly sunny skies, little chance of precipitation and manageable winds. Taking advantage of these optimal scoring conditions will be crucial for success at Augusta.
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After all, this Georgia track is just as treacherous as it is breathtaking. With more than 7,400 yards of tree-lined fairways, thick rough, sharp doglegs and hazards such as Rae's Creek in Amen Corner, Augusta National has claimed many of the world's best golfers as victims in the past.
So, as the Masters gets underway, here's a look at the updated leaderboard, followed by Thursday's essential viewing information, tee times and predictions.
2015 Masters Updated Leaderboard
Thursday's Viewing Information
Time: 3-7 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: Masters.com and CBSSports.com
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.
Thursday Predictions
Lowest Round 1 Score
Who will be sitting atop the Masters leaderboard when Day 1 has concluded? Well, a case could be made for practically every player in the field; however, the nod here goes to Matt Kuchar.
The world's No. 16 player hasn't been in top form early in his 2015 campaign. He began the year with a flourish, finishing tied for third in the Sony Open and tied for second in the Humana Challenge; however, his game began to decline, as he notched just two top-25 finishes in his next five starts.
Still, Kuchar has remained dominant during the first 18 holes of tournaments this year. He enters the Masters ranked second in Round 1 scoring on the PGA Tour with a 68.80 average. His most recent start in the Shell Houston Open is a testament to his early-tournament success, as he finished 70th but began the event with a blistering 67.
During an interview with Chip Towers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kuchar appeared confident in his game: "I'm really excited about my game. I'm playing some pretty good golf right now. I'm pretty pleased with the way things are rounding into shape at the present time."
Expect to see his name near the top of the standings following the first 18 holes at Augusta.
Scores for Favorites
There are plenty of favorites in this year's Masters. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy tops the list, but 21-year-old phenom Jordan Spieth isn't far behind. Defending champion Bubba Watson rounds out the top three, as he can't be counted out due to his frequent success at Augusta.
McIlroy has been doing most of his damage in the second round of tournaments lately. He hasn't been playing terribly in opening rounds, but he also hasn't been putting up impressive numbers, scoring a 73 in the WGC-Cadillac Championship and a 70 in the Arnold Palmer Invitational—his two most recent events.
The world No. 1 is under plenty of pressure at the Masters, as he has a chance to become the seventh player in history to claim a career Grand Slam with a win at Augusta. With that in mind, expect him to remain calm and get a feel for the course on Day 1, shooting a 70 in the process.
Spieth was very consistent at Augusta in 2014, maintaining blemish-free scorecards throughout his first three rounds. Due to his high level of play recently, that trend will likely continue. A patient player, Spieth will wait for birdie opportunities to present themselves rather than risking a high number with a low-percentage shot. That will lead to a solid round of 70.
Watson has been stellar in the opening rounds of tournaments this season, averaging a 69.40 through the first 18 holes. Augusta National suits his game nicely, and he's the only player who could likely get off to a hot start due to his confidence on the track. Expect to hear clamoring for back-to-back green jackets following his 69 on Thursday.
Scores for Struggling Veterans
There are two struggling veterans everyone is keeping a keen eye on this week at the Masters. They are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The duo has seven Masters wins between them; however, neither player has looked capable of contending for a major title in recent weeks.
Woods hasn't even finished six of his last nine tournaments, withdrawing or missing the cut due to health issues and swing tampering. Mickelson hasn't fared much better, missing two cuts in 2015 already and finishing no better than tied for 17th in any start.
The yips have been an issue for Woods of late, as his chipping struggles have led to accuracy issues around the green. If that persists at Augusta, he'll be in for some high numbers. He did look good during his practice sessions, but it remains to be seen if he can turn the corner during tournament play. Expect to see a few hiccups en route to a 75.
Mickelson showed a glimmer of hope in the Shell Houston Open, firing a 66 on Day 1 and a 67 on Day 2 before falling out of contention over the weekend. He shouldn't be expected to post that kind of number Thursday at Augusta, but he at least seems capable of remaining in striking distance following the first 18 holes of play. A 71 seems about right for Lefty.
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