AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A day after a partial solar eclipse had everyone at Augusta National Golf Club staring at the sun, the stars came out on Tuesday.
The day’s schedule featured a full slate of the world’s top golfers meeting with the media in the interview room, including five-time champion Tiger Woods, defending champion Jon Rahm and 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler.
“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family,” Woods said after playing the first nine on Tuesday with 1992 champion Fred Couples and Justin Thomas . “I always want to keep playing in this. I love preparing, I love competing. I love that feeling when everything is on fire with a chance to win.”
“If everything comes together, I think I can get one more.”
A sixth green jacket would tie Woods with Jack Nicklaus for most in Masters history.
Defending champion Rahm returns to Augusta four months after leaving the PGA Tour for rival LIV Golf. He described last year’s win as nothing less than life changing.
“I had heard from a few other players, a few Masters champions and a few that have won other majors rather than the Masters, that they said there’s something different, something special when you win one,” Rahm said during his news conference Tuesday.
“I can confirm it’s absolutely true; that the jump from no majors to U.S. Open was smaller from than what it was from the U.S. Open to the Masters. It is the biggest tournament in the world, with no offense to anything else, but it’s probably the most followed one by people that don’t even play golf.
That’s I think what makes the difference. Your notoriety goes up quite a bit. But it’s also the tradition. By being the only venue, we keep coming back year after year, all the traditions, all the shots, all the stories make it so, so special.”
As for what he did with the green jacket during the last 12 months, nothing crazy.
“I kept it in my closet in a spot where I would walk by it every single day, and obviously inevitably every once in a while you put it on and take it off and put it back there,” Rahm said.
The most memorable (moment) for me has to be the (ceremonial) first pitch (before Game 4 of the 2023 World Series). Just doing the first pitch in the World Series is quite unique, having to be in front of all those people trying to not make a fool of myself.”
No one arrives in Augusta playing better golf than 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler, who has won twice in the last month and remains No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I’m excited about how I’ve been playing to begin this year,” Scheffler said. “I had two nice wins, which was obviously a bunch of fun. Then I was close in my last start as well.
I think it’s just one of those deals where all I’m trying to do is put myself in contention in the tournament and hopefully finish it off. I really am not looking much past tomorrow. I’m focused on my preparation right now. And those things don’t really occupy many of my thoughts day-to-day.”
Players were greeted with cloudy, cool and misty conditions as they continued preparation on both the main course and Tournament Practice Area.
Tuesday night saw the annual Champions Dinner during which the defending champion hosts former champions with a menu of his choice. This year, Rahm elected a Spanish theme with steak or fish being the main course.
Also released on Tuesday were groupings and starting times for rounds one and two on Thursday and Friday. For the full list of tee times, click here.
Gates open to ticketed patrons at 8 a.m. each day during Tournament week, weather permitting.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
