The Loop

The 6 juiciest first-round pairings of the 2014 Masters

The Masters is here, and finally, so are the tee times for Thursday and Friday. Here's a quick rundown of the ones worth watching during the first round:

Group 7, 8:51 a.m. EDT: Tom Watson, Billy Horschel, Brendon de Jonge.

Billy Horschel has only one top 10 in 2014, but his potential is obvious to all. If he manages to get something going at the Masters, especially in front of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson, it could make a lasting impression come September.

Group 16, 10:41 a.m. EDT: Adam Scott, Jason Dufner, Matt Fitzpatrick

The reigning U.S. Amateur champ, the defending Masters champ and the PGA champ vying for the Duf Slam -- all in the same group? Sign me up.

Group 17, 10:52 a.m. EDT: Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy

Rory is finally getting his game back and is a favorite to win. Reed and Spieth are each making their debuts at the Masters. At least two of these guys should be in the mix by the weekend.

Group 28, 1:04 p.m. EDT: Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson

Three guys who bomb it off the tee. Their length makes each of them good fits for the course. They're all also hunting for their first major while considered among the favorites. Surely at least one of them will make it into contention ... but which one?

Group 29, 1:15 p.m. EDT: Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia

Watson finally won again following his 2012 Augusta victory, while Donald and Garcia are two of the most prominent Europeans still awaiting theirs. Sergio is playing well, has improved his putting and has fared nicely on this course previously. Now could be the time he finally makes his mark.

Group 32, 1:48 p.m. EDT: Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Justin Rose

Els' and Mickelson's careers are each winding down, but they've both have plenty of experience at Augusta that could prove helpful this week. Rose got his first major at Merion last year. Like Scott, there's no time like the present to add more majors to his name.

The complete parings:

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