Dustin Johnson will defend the Green Jacket as the 2021 Masters returns to its traditional spring date. Here’s everything you need to know and how you can watch every single shot.
The world’s top ranked player established a tournament record 20-under par score last November, as the event was pushed back in the calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and played with no fans in attendance.
Now, the 85th edition of the tournament is back to its usual spot as the first major of the season. Played between April 8-11, a limited number of fans will be permitted, while the warmer spring weather and speedier conditions will be back along with the blooming azaleas. Though the traditional Par 3 Contest on Wednesday has been cancelled again as a safety precaution.
Don’t miss a shot
ESPN and CBS will provide 18 hours of live broadcast coverage in the US – simulcast on Masters.com and the official Masters app – between Thursday and Sunday, with TV coverage in other countries shown on channels pertaining to that region, such as Sky Sports in the UK.
Masters.com and the Masters App offer various channels to supplement the live broadcast, including Featured Groups, Amen Corner, hole Nos. 15 and 16, and hole Nos. 4, 5 and 6. Also, the “Every Shot, Every Hole” feature which debuted in 2019 returns and will be supplemented for a second consecutive Masters by “My Group”, which allows fans to build a personalized feed of every shot from their favourite players.
Who are the favourites?
The last player to go back-to-back in this event was Tiger Woods in 2001/02, but Dustin Johnson will still start as favourite. World no.2 Justin Thomas is fresh off the back of winning the Players and will be hoping to win his first Green Jacket, while world no.3 Jon Rahm has finished in the top 10 in his last three Masters and has recorded five top 10s in his last seven events.
As the longest driver on the PGA tour, Augusta is likely to suit Bryson Dechambeau. He finished 34th last time hindered by stomach pains, but the 2020 US Open winner is expected to feature this time around. A resurgent Jordan Spieth is finding the form that won him the Masters in 2015, while successive top 10s in this event and winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February puts Brooks Koepka in contention.
Is Tiger Woods playing?
No, the 2019 champion continues to recover from injuries sustained in a car crash in California on February 23.
What big stories could unfold at the 2021 Masters?
If Rory McIlroy wins he will complete the fabled career grand slam of winning all four majors: the Masters, US Open, PGA, and The Open. Only five players have achieved this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. But McIlroy, now down to 11th in the world rankings, has struggled with his form this season.
What is the total purse and how much does the winner get?
A prize pot worth $11.5m is up for grabs at Augusta. Whichever player emerges as the winner after four days will win $2.07m.
What else does the winner receive?
A replica of the Masters trophy, a gold medal and the club’s famed Green Jacket, which was first handed out in 1949.
