Image source, Reuters

The 2026 Masters has teed off!

Johnny Keefer and Li Haitong are in the opening pairing, playing as a two as there's 91 in the field and even my maths tells me you can't divide that by three.

Keefer is an interesting story as he booked his Masters invite by finishing the year in the world's top 50 despite not being a star on the PGA Tour, with his wins and best performances coming on the second tier Korn Ferry Tour.

But don't get us started on the world ranking saga...

Here's where those Augusta National flags are placed for today's first round.

Image source, The Masters

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport golf reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There are numerous perks which come with winning the Masters. Rory McIlroy is well aware of each and every benefit provided by Augusta National.

The biggest one for McIlroy is less tangible than the Green Jacket in the wardrobe, the sterling silver replica trophy on the mantelpiece, or the reserved spot in the car park.

Finally landing the Masters last year provides an intrinsic value which the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland has long been searching for.

Freedom. The freedom to play uninhibited at the sport's most iconic tournament, no longer weighed down by hope, expectation and history.

While he is light on form coming into his Augusta return, McIlroy says his mind is uncluttered. No longer will clean ball-striking be impaired by nebulous thinking.

That, he hopes, can secure entry into another exclusive club - those who have won back-to-back Masters.

Read more analysis as McIlroy prepares to defend the title

It's a nice tradition at The Masters as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson send a drive off the first tee as ceremonial starters.

There's always a bumper crowd looking to get a glimpse of these three golfing icons, and Player is always happy to perform for them despite being 90!

The 90th Masters is up and running!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Let's kick-off today with the first vote of The Masters - and it's the obvious but needed one. Who will win the Green Jacket?

Can Rory McIlroy defend his title? Will Scottie Scheffler win a third Green Jacket or will one of LIV Golf duo Bryson DeChambeau or Jon Rahm claim the spoils?

It seems wide open this year so there's plenty in with a chance, and if your pick isn't in our poll below then send us your winner on X using #bbcgolf...

Image source, Getty Images

It's just glorious isn't it? Augusta National is looking wonderful again this morning and there's nothing quite like the first day of The Masters.

Coming back to the same venue every year makes this event even more special, and some of the sights and sounds around the Azaleas early in the morning are unlike anything else.

Just drink it in.

Remember last year? Of course you do, how could anyone forget Rory McIlroy completing his golfing dreams with the final piece of the Grand Slam falling into place at Augusta.

He's enjoyed his year with the Green Jacket and all the trapping that come with it, but once the golf starts again he will be in no mood to be slipping one of those on somebody else come Sunday.

He talks here to BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson about returning to Augusta, his ambitions for this year's tournament and his choice of food for the Champions Dinner.

Let's mark your card early with what we've got coming up today on our own Masters menu - some big hitters to come here in some fantastic groups.

• 14:31 Keegan Bradley (US), Ryan Gerard (US), Nick Taylor (Can)
• 14:43 Dustin Johnson (US), Shane Lowry (Ire), Jason Day (Aus)
• 14:55 Patrick Reed (US), Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Akshay Bhatia (US)
• 15:07 Bryson DeChambeau (US), Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng), Xander Schauffele (US)
• 15:19 Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Collin Morikawa (US), Russell Henley (US)
• 15:31 Rory McIlroy (NI), Cameron Young (US), Mason Howell (US*)
• 15:43 Viktor Hovland (Nor), Patrick Cantlay (US), Alex Noren (Swe)
• 17:56 JJ Spaun (US), Maverick McNealy (US), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng)
• 18:08 Jon Rahm (Spa), Chris Gotterup (US), Ludvig Aberg (Swe)
• 18:20 Jordan Spieth (US), Justin Rose (Eng), Brooks Koepka (US)
• 18:32 Sepp Straka (Aut), Ben Griffin (US), Justin Thomas (US)
• 18:44 Scottie Scheffler (US), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Gary Woodland (US)

Image source, Getty Images

The wait is over! Yes, that's right golf fans it's time for The Masters.

There are 91 players teeing it up in the 90th Masters Tournament at Augusta National, which looks in amazing condition for what should be an amazing event.

Rory McIlroy is back to defend the Green Jacket he won in epic fashion last year to complete the career Grand Slam, with world number one Scottie Scheffler chasing a third Masters title just a couple of weeks after welcoming his second child into the famliy.

Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have been in stunning form in LIV Golf, while the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele and Robert MacIntyre will all fancy their chances.

We have golfing legends Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player kicking us off as ceremonial starters before the first tee shots in the tournament proper will be struck at 12:40 BST.

We'll keep you informed of all the notable birdies and bogeys, twists and turns and ups and downs from what should be another classic week at The Masters.