Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods played together on Tuesday as their respective Masters preparations continued - get the latest from Augusta National.
Woods and Mickelson practice
Tiger Woods continued his build-up to a first Masters appearance since 2015 with a practice round alongside long-time rival Phil Mickelson.
Woods and Mickelson were joined by 1992 champion Fred Couples and Belgium's Thomas Pieters as they teed off from the 10th shortly after 0830 local time on Tuesday.
Mickelson, 47, who won for the first time since 2013 last month, is aiming to surpass Jack Nicklaus as the oldest ever winner at Augusta National.
Woods has compared the hype ahead of his first Masters since 2015 with that before he completed the 'Tiger Slam'. Woods underwent spinal fusion surgery in April last year and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence the following month.
The 42-year-old, who had five prescription drugs in his system, later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and will spend a year on probation and undergo a diversion programme.
Asked in his pre-tournament press conference at Augusta National if a victory this week would be the greatest sporting comeback of all time, Woods said: "I have four rounds to play, so let's just kind of slow down.
"I had a similar build up in 2000 to 2001, what that tournament would mean, but it's the same thing. I gotta go play and let the chips fall where they may."
Woods won the US Open, Open Championship and US PGA in 2000 and became the first player to hold all four major titles at the same time with victory in the 2001 Masters.
Woods admitted he had repeatedly tried to come back from previous back operations before he was ready, adding: "Part of being an athlete is dealing with pain. A lot of times we go over the edge and break down. Thankfully for modern science, they can put us back together again."
Asked about trying to get ready to play the Masters in 2016 and 2017, the former world number one said: "In hindsight, it was a pipe dream.
"My back was fried. I tried cortisone shots, epidurals, anything to take away the pain, so I might be able to withstand a week. Nothing worked. My disc was gone."
Woods has finished 12th, second and fifth in his last three PGA Tour events and last week described himself as a "walking miracle."
"It's been a tough road," he added. "The pain of just sitting there, the amount of times I've fallen because my leg didn't work or had to lay on the ground. Those were dark times.
"The reason I said it's a miracle is because I don't know anyone that's had a lower back fusion that can swing the club as fast as I can.
"Some of the guys have said I need to fuse my back so I can hit it harder!"
McIlroy firing on all cylinders
Rory McIlroy feels he is in the best shape possible as he attempts to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam.
"I feel as prepared as I ever have and I'm excited to hit that first tee shot on Thursday afternoon," McIlroy, who ended an 18-month winless streak with victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, said.
"I could not come here in better form and hopefully I can carry that into the next three days. I play well here and have just not played well enough.
"Hopefully this is my week and I can get myself in there and grab it with both hands."
Garcia returns as champion
Sergio Garcia is relishing the defence of his Masters title as he tries to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods in claiming back-to-back victories at Augusta National.
Garcia won his first major title at the 74th attempt last year, beating Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off, and Sky Bet make him 25/1 to repeat the feat.
"As a Masters champion it's a different feeling and it's unbelievable," Garcia told his pre-tournament press conference.
"I'm enjoying every minute of it and hoping I can go out there and play great again and have the chance to defend the green jacket."
Asked why only three players have successfully defended the title, Garcia added: "The simple answer is it's just difficult to win.
"It doesn't matter if it's back-to-back or just one. People don't realise how difficult it is to win one tournament and a major and the Masters is even more difficult. It doesn't mean I'm not going to give it my best shot but it's not easy to do it.
"This year it feels like you probably have eight or 10 guys in good form with a really solid chance of winning. At the moment it's quite exciting."
Fowler feeling motivated
Rickie Fowler - an 18/1 chance in the outright market (10 places) - admits he faces a mental battle to turn near-misses into major championship glory.
Fowler finished in the top five in all four majors in 2014 and was fifth in both the US Open and US PGA last year, but could only finish 11th in the Masters after going into the final round just a shot off the lead.
"I've been fortunate to be in contention here a couple of times and Saturdays and Sundays are special when you do get that chance to be in there," the 29-year-old American said.
"We put ourselves in a great position last year going into the back nine. I didn't have the back nine that I wanted, but it's fun to be in the mix when the wind starts to die down and it starts to get really quiet and then you get the loud roars.
"To be there to see some friends win, whether it's Bubba (Watson)'s play-off on 10, seeing Sergio (Garcia) get it done in the play-off coming up 18, I would love to have my chance at it.
"This being my eighth Masters I have plenty of experience, know how to play the golf course, it's just about piecing it together. I think it's more of a mental challenge than it is a physical challenge this week.
"For me I just need to do a good job of working well with my caddie and making sure that we're choosing the right shot and committing to it, staying focused all four rounds every shot. I know that I can hit every shot that I need to on this golf course, I can putt well, and that's obviously needed here.
"So the big thing is everything that happens prior to actually pulling the trigger. I need to make sure I'm in the right frame of mind and trusting what we're trying to do and not second-guessing anything."
Asked about the impact of seeing his friends Watson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas win majors, Fowler added: "It's fun to see your friends win. It's fun to see them play well.
"But it also is kind of a kick in the butt to get yourself to keep pushing forward. You want to be in that position and if your buddies decide to be there, it's a bonus, a nice touch."