Updated 22.40
RORY MCILROY HAS been drawn alongside three-time Green Jacket winner Phil Mickelson for the opening rounds of this year’s US Masters.
The pairing, made today for rounds one and two of the year’s first Major, also includes 90/1 shot American Ryan Moore.
The group boasting nine Major wins between them will tee off at Augusta National at 10.41 (15.41 Irish time) on Thursday and will be the penultimate pairing at 13.48 (18.48 Irish time) on Friday evening.
Among the other stand-out pairings made today, Darren Clarke will by the first Irish golfer on the course, playing with Vijay Singh and Russell Henley from 8.29 (13.29 Irish time). Shane Lowry will be off at 12.31 (17.31) with Chris Kirk and Mark O’Meara; one hole ahead of Padraig Harrington at 12.42 (17.42) with Ryan Palmer and Thomas Bjorn.
Graeme McDowell will be the last man from these shores on the course on day one, teeing off alongside Matt Kuchar and Brooks Koepka at 13.04 (18.04).
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing pairing outside of the reunion of Mickelson and McIlroy is Thursday’s final group of Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Jason Day at 13.59 (18.59). Tiger Woods will be hot on their heels as he plays with Jamie Donaldson and Jimmy Walker from 13.48 (18.48).
Here’s the full list of pairings for day one and two at Augusta.
