MORE: 30 YEARS OF US MASTERS GALLERY
What? 2014 US Masters
Where? Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Who? Most of the world's best golfers, but not injured world number one Tiger Woods.
When does it start? First-round action gets underway Thursday night, 9.45pm (AEST).
Where can I watch it? 7MATE and Fox Sports will show the first three rounds from 5am (AEST) starting Friday, with final-round coverage starting at 4am Monday. You can even watch the Par 3 comp from 5am Thursday.
Phil Mickelson of the United States hits a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ... Seven Aussies including defending champ Adam Scott are among the 99-man field. Scott and Jason Day are among the favourites to don the Green Jacket this year. Matt Jones won his way into the field with a dramatic win at the Houston Open last weekend. He joins fellow 2014 PGA Tour winners Steven Bowditch and John Senden in the field, as well as Victorian Marc Leishman and 19-year-old amateur Oliver Goss.
Why isn't Tiger playing? The four-time Masters champ had back surgery recently. He said it was to relieve a pinched nerve but the inside word is he had a disc in his lower back shaved and will be out of action for several weeks.
The men to watch: With no Tiger prowling the Augusta National fairways for the first time in almost two decades, the race for the coveted Green Jacket could not be more open. Here are the main contenders:
Adam Scott: Aussie eyes will be on defending champion and world number two Adam Scott who is making just his sixth start of the season. The Queenslander blew a final round lead at Bay Hill last month but reckons he is swinging it well and should be in the mix on the back nine come Sunday. He is the pre-tournament favourite with most of the bookies.
Adam Scott of Australia watches a putt during a practice round prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy: The Northern Irishman finished an average 2013 on a bright note with a one-shot victory over Scott at the 2013 Australian Masters at Royal Sydney. He shot a final-round 65 in Houston last week in his first tournament back from a three-week break. He insists he is no longer scarred by his final-round meltdown in 2011, but he knows he'll constantly be reminded of it until he wins his first Green Jacket.
Jason Day: The Aussie world number four hasn't played since winning the WGC Matchplay Championship six weeks ago due to a thumb injury. He claims he is now pain free and is a red-hot chance to become the second Aussie to win a Green Jacket this year. Day led last year's tournament before bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes on Sunday opened the door for Scott. He also finished tied for second on debut in 2011
Phil Mickelson: Don't count this old dog out. Lefty has had some injury issues himself this year but he's playing this week and must not be counted out on this track. He has won the Masters three times and has six other top-five finishes to his credit.
Matt Kuchar: The goofy American went to school in Georgia and loves Augusta National. He finished third and eighth in his last two Masters starts. He blew a lead last week in Houston but is arguably the form player on the US Tour right now.
What else do I need to know? Scott, Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Jason Day can all claim the number one world ranking this week. Scott needs to finish in at least a two-way tie for third, Stenson needs a two-way tie for second or better and Day needs a win to replace Woods as the best golfer on the planet.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland waits to play a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images