Facts and figures for the Masters:
Tournament: The 87th Masters Tournament.
Dates: April 6-9.
Site: Augusta National Golf Club.
Length: 7,545 yards.
Par: 36-36—72.
Purse: To be announced ($15 million in 2022).
Field: 89 players (seven amateurs), with one spot open for Texas Open winner.
Cut: Top 50 and ties.
Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler.
Last year: Scottie Scheffler capped off an incredible 56-day stretch by winning the Masters for his fourth victory. Even with a meaningless four-putt on the final hole, he closed with a 1-under 71 for a three-shot victory over Rory McIlroy. Scheffler was tied for the lead when he chipped in for birdie on the third hole as Cameron Smith made bogey. No one got closer the rest of the way. McIlroy holed a bunker shot for birdie on the 18th hole for a 64, tying the record for lowest closing round at the Masters.
Tiger tales: Five-time champion Tiger Woods has never missed the cut as a pro at the Masters. He has played against top competition only three times, most recently at Riviera seven weeks ago, since the last Masters.
The course: The tee on the par-5 13th has been extended about 35 yards so that it now plays at 545 yards. It is likely that players will be hitting a 4-iron or more to reach the green in two.
Grand Slam, Act IX: Rory McIlroy tries for the ninth time to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam.
Key statistic: Rory McIlroy is playing in his 15th Masters. Mark O’Meara (15) and Sergio Garcia (19) are the only players with that many appearances before winning the green jacket.
Noteworthy: Scottie Scheffler has not finished worse than a tie for 12th in his seven tournaments this year.
