Masters 2023 preview: Full schedule and how to watch golf major action live

The first men's golf major of 2023 gets underway on Thursday, 6 April, as the Augusta National hosts the 87th edition of the Masters Tournament.

Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion, having won by three shots from Rory McIlroy 12 months ago to secure his first major title and the coveted Green Jacket.

And the American showed he is in fine shape ahead of the defence of his title by taking last month's PLAYERS Championship, golf's unofficial fifth major, by five strokes.

Jon Rahm won February's Genesis Invitational to make a brief return to the top of the world rankings, and the big-hitting Spaniard is also fancied to challenge at Augusta.

Reigning (British) Open champion Cameron Smith is also a potential contender, with the Australian the highest-ranked of those who have joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League.

While Scheffler took the title 12 months ago, the galleries were enthralled by five-time champion Tiger Woods who made the weekend cut on his competitive comeback just over a year after a near-fatal car crash.

Woods is expected to tee it up at Augusta for his 25th Masters appearance having skipped the PLAYERS Championship.

There is also a notable hole change to report with the famous par-5 13th, known as 'Azalea', lengthened from 510 yards to 545 yards.

Advances in golf club technology and subsequent increases in driving distance had made Azalea the easiest hole on the course in recent years, but its extra length now makes the second shot over Rae's Creek far more of a challenge particularly with the wind against.

That alteration could make the 13th unlucky for some on Masters Sunday in the hunt for the Green Jacket.

Who is playing at the 2023 Masters golf tournament?

Unlike the other three men's majors, there are no qualifying tournaments or alternates for the Masters, which is an invitation event.

The top 50 in the world are automatically invited along with former Masters winners, plus recent champions and high finishers at professional and amateur tournaments.

Both men's Olympic champion golfers will be in the field with Tokyo 2020 winner Xander Schauffele safely in the top 10.

And Rio 2016 gold medallist Justin Rose booked his place at Augusta with victory in February's Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his first PGA Tour trophy win for three years.

Hideki Matsuyama, who became the first Japanese man to win a major when he claimed this title two years ago, returns to try and reclaim the Green Jacket having slipped outside the world's top 20.

Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia, winners in 2020, 2018 and 2017 respectively, will make rare outings alongside their former PGA Tour colleagues having switched to LIV Golf.

Three-time winner Phil Mickelson, two-time champion Bubba Watson, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka and 2020 US Open victor Bryson DeChambeau will also compete after tournament organisers stated that previous invitation criteria would still apply for LIV Golf players.

Matt Fitzpatrick, who won his first major at last year's US Open, flies the flag for Britain while Norway's Viktor Hovland appears to be coming into form at the right time judging by his share of third place at the PLAYERS Championship.

2023 Masters Tournament - Schedule

Wednesday 5 April: Par 3 contest.

Thursday 6 April: First round starts at 8am in Georgia, USA (Eastern Daylight Time/ EDT), preceded by honorary starters hitting opening drives 

Friday 7 April: Second round, followed by the cut after 36 holes, with only the top 50 players and ties making the weekend.

Saturday 8 April: Third round. First tee-time will be around 10am in Georgia.

Sunday 9 April: Fourth round, followed by Green Jacket ceremony and trophy presentation after the final player has completed the 18th hole.

2023 Masters Tournament - Players to watch

Scottie Scheffler

The reigning champion looks set to put up a strong defence of his title at Augusta.

Despite being world number one 12 months ago, and having won three PGA Tour titles in his previous five starts, Scheffler was far from a hot favourite for the Green Jacket.

But he was the only player to break par for all four rounds as he took victory by three strokes.

The 26-year-old suffered a barren spell after his first major title which he snapped in February by scoring a repeat Phoenix Open win to return to number one in the world.

A month later, he won his first PLAYERS Championship to send him towards Augusta in similar form to a year ago.

Tiger Woods (2002) was the last man to successfully defend the Masters title and, in recent years, only 2015 winner Jordan Spieth has come close to keeping hold of the Green Jacket when his dramatic final round collapse allowed Danny Willett to take the 2016 victory.

Jon Rahm

The 28-year-old Spaniard has long been touted as a Masters winner-in-waiting with his long hitting and spectacular putting.

Rahm was in the top 10 four times in succession at Augusta before finishing tied for 27th last year.

He returned to the top of the world rankings with three tournament victories in 2023, but illness forced him to withdraw from the PLAYERS Championship at Sawgrass.

In January, Rahm admitted he would like to be a fly on the wall at the Masters Champions Dinner which he thought would be "a little tense compared to how it’s been in the past" following the defections from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf.

He added, "I keep thinking about it because I wish I could be there and just be able to see how things work out. Too bad the US Open doesn’t have one of those."

Rahm will be hoping to join Garcia, Jose Maria Olazabal, and the late Seve Ballesteros as Masters champions from Spain, as well as add to his sole major win at the 2021 US Open.

Rory McIlroy

The Ulsterman won the last of his four majors in 2014 with the Masters the only one missing from his collection.

He has finished in the top five at Augusta on four occasions with second place to Scheffler a year ago his best finish.

The man from Northern Ireland won the CJ Cup at the end of last season and the Dubai Desert Classic early this year.

After missing the cut at the PLAYERS Championship, 33-year-old McIlroy had tongues wagging over claims he had needed just 19 putts in a practice round at Augusta.

When asked by a reporter whether that was true, he coyly replied, "Yeah, look, I had two good days. I was really happy with where my game was, and it was good to see that after struggling at the PLAYERS."

Were McIlroy to win at Augusta, he would join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen in completing career Grand Slams of men's major titles.

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth loves the Masters.

Before missing the cut for the first time last year, Spieth had five top-three finishes at Augusta in eight appearances, including victory in 2015.

The 29-year-old from Dallas went nearly four years without a tournament win after taking the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale.

He has steadily returned to form over the past two years and, after missing the cut at Augusta 12 months ago, won his very next event - the RBC Heritage to return to the world's top 10.

Spieth has had something of a lull since, but two top-five finishes in March show he is back on song. And back at his beloved Augusta, it would be no surprise were he to be in the mix for his fourth major title.

2023 Masters Tournament - Tee times 

The full schedule of groups and their starting tee times will be confirmed by Masters organisers on the eve of the first round.

Further information of the pairings can be found on the official Masters website.

2023 Masters Tournament - How to watch live action

Event coverage is available in over 200 countries, with digital livestreams and TV broadcasts in most regions.

In the United States, ESPN and ESPN Deportes will show the first two rounds with CBS screening rounds three and four. ESPN+ also shows featured groups while Masters.com will have live coverage throughout from selected holes including Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, and 13).

In the UK, Sky Sports has exclusive live coverage. Check local listings for broadcast details elsewhere.