The Masters 2017
The Masters promises to serve up more drama in the 81st edition. Getty Images

The 2017 Masters takes place at August National Golf Club in Georgia between 6-9 April.

Where to watch live

All four rounds of The Masters are available to watch on Sky Sports 1HD and 4HD, with coverage on the first three days starting at 7pm. The concluding round begins at 6pm and is also accessible via Sky Sports Mix.

Live free-to-air coverage comes courtesy of BBC Two HD who will show the final two rounds from 7:30pm on Saturday [8 April] and 6:30pm on Sunday [9 April]. Highlights will be available for the opening two days. BBC Radio Five Live will have commentary through the tournament.

Preview

Tiger Woods may be absent from The Masters for a second year in a row, but to suggest the four-time champion at Augusta isn't in Georgia in spirit this week would be folly. Fellow American Dustin Johnson is a player who has developed an unbeaten sheen which only Tiger during his pomp could boast.

The world number one has arrived up Magnolia Way as not just the form player on the planet, but more or less untouchable in the professional game in 2017. Having signed off in 2017 with the US Open – his maiden major title – and a stunning showing at the Ryder Cup he has picked up where he left off with three victories including the completion of the WGC grand slam.

Tiger Woods
Woods will miss The Masters for the second year in a row. Getty Images

What perhaps adds to Johnson's status as the outstanding favourite for the green jacket is the fortunes of his closest rivals in the world golf rankings. Rory McIlroy has battled a rib injury which has disrupted his build-up and Jason Day has been preoccupied by his mother being diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth returns to The Masters 12 months on from his meltdown on the 12<sup>th when hopes of successive titles sunk to the bottom of Rae's Creek. Reigning champion Danny Willett is meanwhile in no form to consider successfully defending his title.

The closest challenges to Johnson's dominance however might come from less high-profile opponents. Justin Thomas won three times either side of the turn of the year before finishing fifth the WGC event in Mexico. Rookie Jon Rahm is the hot player on tour however, having pushed Johnson all the way at the Dell Technologies Match Play and has the talent to cause a surprise on his debut appearance at Augusta.

Dustin Johnson
Johnson claimed his second WGC title in a row to continue his hot streak. Getty Images

But given the inclement conditions which welcome the players – ensuring those hoping to recapture their touch before the tournament have been left frustrated – it is hard to look beyond Johnson to continue his stellar year. Much like with Woods, it will take something special to defy him.

The Masters 2017 odds [William Hill]

Dustin Johnson 11/2

Jordan Spieth 15/2

Rory McIlroy 8/1

Hideki Matsuyama 18/1

Jason Day, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler 20/1

Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson 25/1

Henrik Stenson 28/1

Jason Day
Day's preparations have been disrupted as his mother receives treatment for cancer. Getty Images

The Masters 2017 round one and two tee times:

13:00 & 16:07 - Daniel Summerhays, Russell Henley

13:11 & 16:18 - Trevor Immelman, Brendan Steele, Jhonattan Vegas

13:22 & 16:29 - Mike Weir, Billy Hurley III, Scott Piercy

13:33 & 16:40 - Larry Mize, Brian Stuard, Stewart Hagestad (a)

13:44 &16:51 - Soren Kjeldsen, Kevin Chappell, Jim Furyk

13:55 & 17:13 - Sandy Lyle, Sean O'Hair, Scott Gregory (a)

14:06 & 17:24 - Zach Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Hadwin

14:17 & 17:35 - Tommy Fleetwood, Gary Woodland, J.B. Holmes

Rory McIlroy
McIlroy's round with US President Donald Trump has attracted as many headlines as his performances on the course. Getty Images

14:28 & 17:46 - Adam Scott, Kevin Kisner, Andrew Sullivan

14:39 & 17:57 - Francesco Molinari, Daniel Berger, Thomas Pieters

15:01 & 18:08 - Fred Couples, Paul Casey, Kevin Na

15:12 & 18:19 - Russell Knox, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama

15:23 & 18:30 - Branden Grace, Brooks Koepka, Jeung-Hun Wang

15:34 & 18:41 - Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Matthew Fitzpatrick

15:45 & 18:52 - Phil Mickelson, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Si Woo Kim

15:56 & 19:03 - Justin Rose, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Day

Jon Rahm
Can Rahm cause a shock on his Masters debut? Getty Images

16:07 & 13:00 - Rod Pampling, William McGirt

16:18 & 13:11 - Mark O'Meara, Roberto Castro, Hudson Swafford

16:29 & 13:22 - Ian Woosnam, Brad Dalke (a), James Hahn

16:40 & 13:33 - Ross Fisher, Pat Perez, Byeong-Hun An

16:51 &13:44 - Jose-Maria Olazabal, Webb Simpson, Ryan Moore

17:13 & 13:55 - Ernie Els, Jason Dufner, Bernd Wiesberger

17:24 & 14:06 - Danny Willett, Matt Kuchar, Curtis Luck (a)

17:35 & 14:17 - Vijay Singh, Emiliano Grillo, Toto Gana (a)

Justin Thomas
Thomas enjoyed a stunning turn of the year but can he recapture that form? Getty Images

17:46 & 14:28 - Angel Cabrera, Tyrrell Hatton, Henrik Stenson

17:57 & 14:39 - Charl Schwartzel, Steve Stricker, Mackenzie Hughes

18:08 & 15:01 - Charley Hoffman, Chris Wood, Yuta Ikeda

18:19 & 15:12 - Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Shane Lowry

18:30 & 15:23 - Bernhard Langer, Alex Noren, Patrick Reed

18:41 & 15:34 - Rory McIlroy, Hideto Tanihara, Jon Rahm

18:52 & 15:45 - Marc Leishman, Bill Haas, Justin Thomas

19:03 & 15:56 - Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jimmy Walker