THE 86TH MASTERS TOURNAMENT

■ Site: Augusta National Golf Club

■ Length: 7,510 yards

■ Par: 36-36—72

■ Field: 91 players (six amateurs), with one spot open for Texas Open winner

■ Defending champion: Hideki

Matsuyama

■ Last year: Matsuyama became the first Masters champion from Japan with his one-shot victory over Will Zalatoris. Staked to a four-shot lead at the start of the final round, he widened his lead to six shots. Xander Schauffele narrowed the gap to two shots until hitting into the water on the 16th hole. Matsuyama’s victory came 10 years after he was low amateur, having earned his spot at Augusta National by winning the AsiaPacific Amateur. The most poignant moment was his caddie replacing the pin at No. 18, removing his cap and bowing to the course.

■ Grand Slam, Act VIII: Rory McIlroy tries for the eighth time to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam.

■ Now on the tee: Two-time champion Tom Watson joins Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as honorary starters.

■ Course changes: Tees have been moved back 15 yards and to the left on No. 11 and several trees on the right were removed. Tees were moved back 20 yards on No. 15.

■ Key statistic: Sam Burns is the fourth player since 2013 to have won three times in a PGA Tour season before making his Masters debut. Collin Morikawa (2020) tied for 44th, Jimmy Walker (2014) tied for eighth and Patrick Reed (2014) missed the cut.

■ Noteworthy: Ten of the top 12 players in the world ranking are 30 or younger.

■ Quoteworthy: “It’s the ultimate test. It intimidates you all day — really, really intimidates you. And if you can handle it, that’s very impressive.” — Padraig Harrington.