Masters 2018 Tee Times and Pairings for Augusta National Golf Club Announced

Tiger Woods is back, and the sports world's attention will be glued to Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday as he and the rest of the field tee off the 2018 Masters.

The opening-round times for Woods and the rest of the field were announced Tuesday. Here is a look at some of the notable groupings, while the rest of the times can be found at Masters.com.

10:42 a.m. ET: Tiger Woods, Marc Leishman and Tommy Fleetwood

10:53 a.m. ET: Sergio Garcia, Justin Thomas and Doc Redman

1:27 p.m. ET: Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar

1:38 p.m. ET: Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Jon Rahm

1:49 p.m. ET: Jordan Spieth, Alex Noren and Louis Oosthuizen

Steve Elling noted Woods' group will be available to stream online before the television coverage starts at 3 p.m. ET.

While there are a number of headline names who will tee off in the year's first major, Woods is the primary storyline. The 42-year-old has won four green jackets and will resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus for the record of most major titles in a career. Woods is four behind with 14 titles.

It appeared as if he would never have the opportunity to challenge the gold standard of 18 majors following four back surgeries and an extensive absence as he dealt with health issues, but Woods has thrived in the early going in 2018.

Rather than simply demonstrating his ability to make strides as he gradually works himself back into the fold, Woods tied for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, tied for second at the Valspar Championship and finished in 12th place at the Honda Classic.

He is contending on Sundays, and the idea of his donning the famous red shirt in the final round of the Masters is enticing to the golf world.

Commentator Jim Nantz called it "probably the most anticipated Masters any of us have seen in our lifetime," per Kyle Porter of CBSSports.com.

Augusta is the perfect place for Woods to start chasing Nicklaus again given his extensive success at the venue. Porter noted he is yet to miss a cut in 18 Masters starts and has a head-turning 13 top-10 finishes.

This year's tournament won't just be the Woods show, though, as there are other storylines to track with this loaded field.

Sergio Garcia is the defending champ after he finally broke through at a major in 2017, ending a 0-for-73 stretch that had him featured in the "best player to never win a major" discussions. He has three other top-10 finishes at the Masters in addition to his victory and is no longer playing under the pressure of his major-less streak.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will be in the spotlight with one trying to break through at the Masters and another looking to add to his impressive early showings at the event.

Spieth has proved to be a force with the green jacket on the line with one victory, two ties for second and an 11th-place showing in four career starts in Augusta. McIlroy, though, is still chasing the elusive green jacket and has never finished better than fourth place (2015).

However, he has momentum on his side after he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March for his first victory since the Tour Championship in September 2016.

Spieth, McIlroy, Garcia and others will make headlines throughout the four-day tournament, but the initial focus will be on Woods and his continued attempt to re-establish himself as a contending force in his comeback.