AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy entered the 2025 Masters with a significant weight lifted, looking forward to the 90th edition of the tournament with a question and a smile: “What are we going to talk about next year?”

A New Era at Augusta

That year has arrived. The Masters begins on Thursday, April 9, and McIlroy will be free from the questions that plagued him for nearly 15 years – whether he could conquer Augusta National. The pressure now shifts to those who have come close, including Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka.

McIlroy's Emotional Victory

To understand the desire for a Masters championship, one must recall McIlroy dropping to his knees on the 18th green, securing the win with a 3-foot birdie putt in a playoff against Rose. The victory was a mix of joy and relief, a culmination of years of striving.

The Challenge of Augusta National

Augusta National is known for both enthralling and tormenting golfers, creating a dramatic atmosphere over four days. Xander Schauffele noted, “Augusta checks off that mental box because of history, knowing the holes coming and knowing what guys have done.”

Past Close Calls

Schauffele has experienced near-success at the Masters, finishing as runner-up to Tiger Woods in 2019 and challenging Hideki Matsuyama in 2021 before a costly error on the 16th hole.

Woods' Absence and Other News

The Masters will proceed without five-time champion Tiger Woods for the second consecutive year. Woods was involved in a car crash on March 27th and subsequently entered treatment, with a judge granting him permission to leave the country for care.

Field Dynamics and New Faces

The Masters field is relatively small, with fewer than 100 players for the last 60 years, including six amateurs and seven Masters champions now eligible for the senior circuit. Nearly one-quarter of the field will be making their Masters debut, though no rookie has won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Intriguing Newcomers

Among the newcomers are Chris Gotterup, Ben Griffin, and Jacob Bridgeman, all ranked within the top 20 in the world. Casey Jarvis of South Africa also joins the field after recent wins on the European tour. Bryson DeChambeau, playing on LIV Golf, is another two-time winner this year.

Anticipation Builds

Golf fans have waited 263 days since Scottie Scheffler’s victory at the British Open for the first tee shot on Thursday. McIlroy, now a career Grand Slam champion, aims to join Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus as the only back-to-back Masters winners.

Scheffler's Preparation and DeChambeau's Momentum

Both McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler took three weeks off leading up to the Masters. Scheffler’s break was due to the impending birth of his second child. Scheffler remains the betting favorite, having won 23 times worldwide in the last four years. Bryson DeChambeau, with back-to-back wins on LIV Golf, enters the tournament with significant momentum.

Rahm's Pursuit and LIV Golf Representation

Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, and DeChambeau are expected to lead the charge for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league, which has 11 players in the field. Rahm is also focused on resolving conflicts regarding his eligibility for the Ryder Cup.