Masters TV Schedule 2017: Definitive Coverage and Live-Stream Guide for Thursday
The world's finest golfers will begin their quest for the iconic green jacket on Thursday, as the 2017 edition of the Masters gets under way at Augusta.
In 2016, it was Danny Willett who emerged as a surprise victor, as the then-champion Jordan Spieth ran into trouble on the back nine on Day 4. It was a dramatic finale that summed up this wonderful tournament and why it's one of the highlights on the sporting calendar.
This year, there'll be a clutch of players seeking to make their breakthrough at Augusta and win their first major as Willett did 12 months ago. But some of the game's elite, such as Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Spieth, are expected to thrive too.
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Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the action from the plush Augusta venue and a closer look at some of those men that'll be in contention to win the first major of the 2017 season.
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), ESPN (U.S.)
Masters Preview
The man everyone will be watching this week at the Masters is Johnson, as the pre-tournament favourite is in the form of his life heading into the event.
After winning the U.S. Open last year, breaking his major championship duck in the process, Johnson has excelled, taking courses apart with his incredible distance off the tee and renewed composure on the greens. It's why he's going to be so difficult to get the better of at Augusta this week.
Per the European Tour Twitter feed, it's been an incredible year for the 32-year-old:
Although he finished a commendable fourth last year, there are plenty who would say Johnson's game isn’t suited to Augusta.
The setting requires skill around the greens and cunning decision-making to prosper, with booming drives off the tee an assistance, but not necessarily a crucial one. It's why Spieth has such a good record at this event.
Indeed, the youngster looked well on course for a second consecutive green jacket last year, having putted magnificently over the first three days of the tournament. But he dumped two approaches into Rae's Creek at the 12th on the final day, posting a quadruple bogey on the hole and handing the initiative to Willett.
As noted by ESPN's Jason Sobel in the buildup to Thursday's opening day, despite his collapse in 2016, the 23-year-old has cut a relaxed figure this week:
Yet you sense there will be something burning in Spieth. The American is a fiery competitor, and having to put the green jacket on Willett last year would have hurt. He's focused and talented enough to feature in the upper reaches of the leaderboard again at Augusta.
So, too, is McIlroy. In 2015 and 2016, the Northern Irishman has looked burdened by the focus on him, with a career Grand Slam up for grabs; he's put together fourth and 10th-place finishes, respectively.
Although that accolade is still there for the taking for him in 2017, McIlroy hasn't been smothered and scrutinised as he was 12 and 24 months ago, with Johnson and Spieth the highest-profile figures in the press. McIlroy has seemingly enjoyed it.
"I don't feel like I can fly under the radar anymore," he said, per Alan Bastable of Golf. "But at the same time, it's sort of felt that way to me, and it's been nice to be able to prepare and just go about my business and try to get ready for this tournament."
It doesn't seem as though the other top guys are taking McIlroy lightly, though, as Spieth noted on Tuesday, per Paul Hayward of the Daily Telegraph:
There are other intriguing competitors in the field, too, including three-time champion Phil Mickelson, who so often brings his best to this venue. The up-and-coming Jon Rahm is another one to watch, especially given he'll be grouped with McIlroy for the first two days; it'll be intriguing to see how the young Spaniard fares on his Masters debut.
Day will be another player to keep an early eye on, as he typically shines at the major events. Rickie Fowler is also always popular with the patrons, and the 28-year-old would love to break his major duck at this legendary event.
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