Masters: Tiger Woods will be partnered with Luke Donald and Scott Piercy

Tiger Woods has been partnered with England’s Luke Donald and fellow American Scott Piercy after the opening round draw was made for this year’s Masters.

The world No 1 and his playing partners tee off at 3:45pm (BST) on Thursday and will then go out at 6:41pm in Friday’s second round.

Woods has won four Masters titles but has not claimed victory at Augusta since 2005, with his last major in any competition coming at the US Open in 2008.

Woods is the favourite to claim the Green Jacket after recently regaining his status as the world’s top player.

Defending champion Bubba Watson will be in the group just ahead of Woods, with US Amateur champion Steven Fox and Britain’s Ian Poulter keeping him company.

The group going out directly after Woods includes Irishman Padraig Harrington, Australian Jason Day and American Rickie Fowler.

World No 2 Rory McIlroy heads out in Thursday’s penultimate group alongside American Keegan Bradley and Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson.

The group in front of them is also an intriguing one, with three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and South African Louis Oosthuizen, last year’s Masters runner-up, drawn together.