The Masters returns with Rory McIlroy chasing history and Scottie Scheffler leading the pack at Augusta

The atmosphere at Augusta National on Wednesday was equal parts pageantry and preparation. A cool spring breeze carried just enough pollen to make noses run, but not enough to dull the sense of anticipation. Players took to the course for their final tune-ups before the Masters officially begins, with many—like Rory McIlroy—opting for casual money games to stay sharp. McIlroy, still in pursuit of his first green jacket and a career Grand Slam, joined Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, and Shane Lowry for a quick nine holes before the annual Par 3 Tournament.The Masters is unlike any other major. It boasts the smallest field—just 95 players this year—and is the only one called a “tournament” rather than a “championship.” It’s held on grounds once home to a nursery, now manicured into perfection with more than 80,000 plants across 350 species. And it closes out Wednesday with the charming and unofficial Par 3 Tournament, where players are joined by their families—and often their toddlers dressed in miniature white coveralls—for a lighthearted tradition no one wants to actually win. History says the “curse” of winning both in the same week still stands.
Rory McIlroy arrives in Augusta in top form, with two wins already this season and a laser focus on completing the elusive Grand Slam. This will be his 17th attempt at securing the Masters title, and few years have felt more primed for a breakthrough. “The buildup to this event is a lot,” McIlroy said. “We’re waiting eight or nine months for the next major... It’s such a fun afternoon.”Still, the spotlight remains firmly on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is chasing his third green jacket in four years. Only Jack Nicklaus has achieved that feat. Scheffler, despite some pollen-induced sniffles, is feeling confident. “Sniffles aren’t going to stop me,” he said. “When I step on the first tee on Thursday, I’m going to remind myself that I’ve done what I needed to do to play well.”Scheffler's rise has been meteoric. Just three years ago, he hadn’t yet won on the PGA Tour. Today, he’s the betting favorite and reigning Olympic gold medalist, with nine global wins to his name. He’s not one to dwell on records or pressure, though. “It’s all about going out and competing now,” he said.
Despite Hurricane Helene tearing through the region last September, Augusta National remains immaculate. Crews quietly worked to restore areas damaged by fallen Georgia pines, and while longtime attendees might notice the thinning treeline—especially on holes No. 1 and No. 9—most viewers at home will see the course as flawlessly serene as ever. CBS, in fact, will not air any before-and-after shots, choosing instead to focus on Augusta in its present glory.Some views that were once obscured by trees—such as glimpses of the adjacent Augusta Country Club—are now partially visible from certain vantage points. But the overall layout and spirit of the course remain untouched, ready to deliver another iconic chapter in Masters history.
Jordan Spieth, once a perennial threat at Augusta, returns under less dramatic circumstances. Still recovering from wrist surgery last August, he’s no longer among the heavy favorites, but his Masters history makes him impossible to ignore. In 2015, Spieth went wire-to-wire for a dominating win. A year later, he famously lost a five-shot lead on the back nine. Now, the three-time major champion is managing expectations.“When I started back up, it was a 10-year outlook, not an April of ’25 outlook,” Spieth said. “It’s just like there’s no cooler place to do it, no better feeling. So the goal is to get yourself on the back nine and have a chance.”With the honorary starters—Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson—set to hit the ceremonial opening tee shots on Thursday morning, the fun and fanfare of Masters week gives way to focused competition. As McIlroy put it, “If you’re not ready by now, then you don’t really have a chance.”