Image source, Getty Images

Nineteen months have passed since Tiger Woods won his 15th major title and first for 11 years.

"I'm still getting chills just thinking about it," said the American. "(The) feelings, coming up 18 and knowing that all I have to do is just two putt that little 15-footer and to see my family there and my mom and my kids and all of the people that helped support me or were there for me in the tough times.

"And I was walking up there trying not to lose it, and still saying, 'hey, I've still got to two putt this'."

It has been a long wait to defend his Green Jacket, after the tournament was postponed in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's not how I wanted to retain the jacket for this long," he added. "Obviously this has been an unprecedented circumstance we're all dealing with.

"It's been incredible to have the jacket and to have it around the house and to share with people, but to have it this long, it's not the way I want to have it. I wanted to earn it back in April, but obviously we didn't have that.

"We are all very fortunate to be able to compete."

Couldn't really get three more varying styles/personalities in this trio.

Louis Oosthuizen is 186 yards away from the pin, on the down slope, and floats one flag-bound.

Jon Rahm just about wriggles his effort on to the fringes to avoid a greenside bunker, while Bryson DeChambeau is - of course - last to play with 152 yards to make up.

Wedge from there? Right on the money, just beyond the flag and a little scuttle back towards it. Lovely golf shot.

Who will win the Masters and why?

And also, we want your tip for the best European performance.

Mark Swain: My 4 picks are Tyrrell Hatton, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Matt Kuchar & Jason Day.

Didn't follow the rules Mark, did you? And we thought you'd write something more 'quoteable'.

Three wood off the tee for all three of these - so no chance to see if Bryson DeChambeau has slotted a 48-inch driver into his bag for today.

All away nicely. And off we go...

It's quite hard to believe that this is the first Masters since Tiger Woods won his first major in more than a decade, and fifth Green Jacket, amid sensational scenes in April 2019.

It's even harder to believe that he's coming into the defence of the title under the radar.

The reason for that is Bryson DeChambeau. We all know by now the transformation the American has gone through. Will he dominate Augusta National like he did Winged Foot in winning the US Open in September?

We're about to find out because here is on the tee...

First up in this marquee group, Spaniard Jon Rahm - now best-known for his hole-in-one trick shot during practice... the two-tee start means this trio are starting on the 10th, and Rahm rattles one down the fairway to kick things off.

The champ is looking pretty relaxed

Hopefully the omega-3 from the seafood he had at the champions' dinner will help him over the four rounds.

Image source, Getty Images

There's been a lot of talk about "Bryson-proofing" golf courses to combat his big-hitting approach, and DeChambeau says venues may start to make changes because of the way he and other players are overpowering them.

"I’ve no idea where the endgame is on this," he said about his ability to drive the ball further than any of his rivals on the PGA Tour.

"I’ve only seem improvements in distance, improvements in strength increases. I feel better every day, I’m hitting it further than at the US Open and trying a driver this week that may help me hit it a bit further.

"People would realise that hitting the ball further is definitely the easier way to play the game. I’m only going to play under the rules of golf and I’ll always try do my best to play under those rules in the best way possible like I adapt to the rules of golf, I think the golf courses are going to slowly adapt to what we’re doing and it’s all going to be defined by the rules.

"What they say is how we’re going to play and how golf courses are going to be set up."

Keen, aren't they?

So are we all.

Cracking the flags in Augusta now.

Who will win the Masters and why?

And also, we want your tip for the best European performance.

Guy Parfitt: With 8 top 10s in 14 starts this year, I'm backing Webb Simpson for the Masters.

Never finished tied 20th here, tbf.

Iain Stirling: Jack Nicklaus won his 6th Masters in 1986, 23 years after his first. He was ranked 33rd in the world going into that week. If Tiger wins this week, it will be his 6th Masters, 23 years after his first. He's ranked 33rd in the world going into this week

Did you take that from our 14:31 entry, Iain?

Bryson DeChambeau's coach Mike Schy said a "soft" Augusta National will greatly enhance his chances of winning a first Green Jacket - and he seems to have got his wish with this early rain.

"The course is going to be super soft, so Bryson carrying it 330 yards is a ginormous advantage," Schy told BBC Sport.

"When you look at Matthew Wolff, runner-up at the US Open, he was hitting it pretty far, but the fairways were hard and fast, whereas Bryson was carrying it 50 yards past him.

"The guy who can carry it the farthest will have a huge advantage."

There are rumours that DeChambeau may look to clear the pine trees on the dog-leg par-five 13th to reach the 14th fairway, giving himself a better angle into the green.

"I think it is doable, because nobody is there to block the ball and end up in a bad spot," added Schy. "It's going to be interesting if that's available. If the ball is able to roll through there then that is definitely in play."

Image source, SwingU

Who will win the Masters and why?

And also, we want your tip for the best European performance.

No player has won the Masters at the first attempt since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Collin Morikawa, who won the US PGA Championship on just his second major appearance in August, and fellow American Matthew Wolff, runner-up in the US Open, are looking to change that.

"I'm not afraid of any course," said 23-year-old Morikawa, the world number four. "I believe I can dissect a course and figure out what is my best opportunity to shoot a good score.

"Experience never hurts. I wish I had played here 15, 20 times, I wish I had that knowledge. That's going to grow over the years I keep coming back and I keep playing, but for now I have to feel like I can still compete with these guys."

Wolff, 21, has climbed to 14th in the rankings after placing in the top five in the past two majors.

"If there was a time, it would be now," said Wolff of someone emulating Zoeller. "I think the level of golf out here right now is at an all-time high.

"Because of Covid, it's unfortunate, but since there are no fans here, I think that can definitely change the dynamic of everything.

"Coming down the stretch with a one-shot lead, it's definitely a little more relaxing without thousands and thousands of fans sitting behind the green watching your every shot."

Almost a three-hour delay to proceedings but finally some good news. Play is set to resume at 15:22 GMT.