AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Players and patrons have made their way to Augusta National Golf Club for the 87th Masters Tournament.
Five-time champion Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were among the first to tee of Monday morning, playing the second nine with 1992 champion Fred Couples and Tom Kim. The Masters will be Woods’ first appearance in a tournament since finishing T45 at The Genesis Invitational in February.
“If I’m playing, I play to win,” Woods said before that tournament. “I know that players have played and they are ambassadors of the game and try to grow the game. I can’t have my mind, I can’t wrap my mind around that as a competitor. If I’m playing in the event I’m going to try and beat you. I’m there to get a W, OK? So I don’t understand that making the cut’s a great thing. If I entered the event, it’s always to get a W. There will come a point in time when my body will not allow me to do that anymore, and it’s probably sooner rather than later, but wrapping my ahead around that transition and being the ambassador role and just trying to be out here with the guys, no, that’s not in my DNA.”
“I think the leg — I guess this is what it is. I don’t know how much better it’s ever going to get. If he can get better where he can play 12 times, I don’t think that’s going to happen, Couples said of Woods after the round. “I think he would tell me that. But he’s strong enough to hit it a mile. He’s hitting it really strong and solid, and he looks good.”
1987 champion Larry Mize plays a shot on the second hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) 
2020 champion Dustin Johnson looks over the 13th green during a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) 
Collin Morikawas looks over his shot on the 13th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) 
Rory McIlroy shakes hands with five-time champion Tiger Woods on the 18th green after they completed a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) 
Jon Rahm reacts a putt on the third green during a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) 
Patrons arrive through the North Gate to enter the course ahead of practice round 1 at Augusta National Golf Club, Monday, April 3, 2023. 
View of the Tournament Practice Area at sunrise ahead of practice round 1 at Augusta National Golf Club, Monday, April 3, 2023.
Much of Monday’s conversation focused on the new look 13th hole at Augusta, which was lengthened by 35 yards after last year’s Tournament.
“You got to hit a perfect drive to have a chance now, where you could get away with more of a right shot,” Kevin Kisner said after his round. “Now if you bail out to the right, you have no chance to go for it. The longer hitters will be in the trees now.”
Another hot topic Monday was the interaction between golfers who have defected from the PGA Tour to rival LIV Golf and those who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour.
“I spent an hour (at the Tournament Practice Area) and seen lots of familiar faces, lots of smiles and hugs, and it’s been nice,” said Cameron Smith, who joined LIV Golf since last year’s Masters Tournament, in which he finished tied for third. “I don’t think there’s any kind of hatred going on between the players. We are all happy where we are, and I’m just as happy for the guys winning out on the PGA TOUR as I am for the LIV golfers, as well.”
Woods will speak to media on Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
