Tiger Woods and Jason Day development sends golf fans into frenzy ahead of Masters

Jason Day has taken a playful dig at golf superstar Tiger Woods after being grouped alongside the 15-time major winner at the US Masters, beginning in Augusta on Thursday night (AEST). The 48-year-old Woods - a five-time champion at the famed Augusta National course - is looking to break Jack Nicklaus's record as the oldest player ever to win a green jacket. Nicklaus was 46 when he won in 1986.

Playing alongside Woods and Day will be another American and World No.11 Max Homa, in one of the most exciting trios for the opening two rounds of the year's first major. Day counts Woods as one of his golfing idols but it didn't stop the 36-year-old Aussie cracking a joke at Tiger's expense after learning they were grouped together.

“That’s exciting. I’m happy about that,” Day said on Tuesday at Augusta. “That’s a good pairing. I had no idea. As long as I beat that old man, I’m happy," he said while laughing alongside reporters. "It’s going to be fun knowing I’m playing with Tiger and Max the first two rounds. That’s exciting. Obviously I’m looking forward to the challenge, especially the first two days. It’s going to be tough.”

Woods has arrived for his 26th Masters campaign adamant he can break Nicklaus's record as the oldest champion, despite only being a part-time player and admitting that he "aches" every day due to a series of career-threatening injuries over the years. "If it all comes together, I think I can get one more," Woods said after a practice round on Wednesday (AEST) with Justin Thomas and Fred Couples.

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Day is also chasing a slice of history as he hopes to become just the second Australian after Adam Scott in 2013 to win the Master green jacket. Day finished third behind Scott that year, was second on debut in 2011 and fifth five years ago in his best performances so far at Augusta. He's also finished runner-up at all four majors. And fans took to social media in droves to celebrate the Aussie's grouping with Woods and Homa in the opening two rounds.

Golf world excited by Jason Day's grouping with Tiger Woods

Day knows it will be a massive challenge playing alongside Woods when 'Tigermania' is in full effect and massive galleries will be following the group's every moves. But the Aussie has vowed to stick to his own game plan and block out the inevitable distractions.

"As long as you're concentrating on what you need to do, then it shouldn't matter," Day said. "I've played out here a long time, and I think there's guys that don't like people moving around the greens, but for the most part I've never really been too distracted with people moving. If I am distracted, just come off and just and go in again."

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Adam Scott and Cam Smith among the other leading Aussies

Day is sweating on forecast thunderstorms to have passed by the time he and Woods tee off at 1.24pm local time. Day's compatriot and former champion Scott, hits off in the preceding three-ball with US pair Cameron Young and Sam Burns. 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith also features in a star-studded grouping with reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark and Norway's World No.6 Viktor Hovland.

Another Aussie, Min Woo Lee, also has a morning start in Augusta alongside American big guns Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler but the 25-year-old will be battling a broken finger in his right hand. In other notable groups, defending champion Jon Rahm Tess off alongside fellow major champion Matt Fitzpatrick and boom American PGA Tour rookie Nick Dunlap.

World No.1 and 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler has been grouped alongside compatriot Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy, who is still chasing that elusive Augusta win to complete his career slam of all major trophies. Reigning Open champion Brian Harman has been grouped alongside five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and exciting Korean Tom Kim in another mouthwatering trio.

Tee times of note from Friday morning (times in AEST)

12:30am: Jon Rahm (ESP), Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Nick Dunlap (USA)

12.42am: Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (NIR), Xander Schauffele (USA)

12:54am: Cameron Smith (AUS), Wyndham Clark (USA), Viktor Hovland (NOR)

3:12am: Adam Scott (AUS), Sam Burns (USA), Cameron Young (USA

3:24am: Jason Day (AUS), Tiger Woods (USA), Max Homa (USA)

3:36am: Brian Harman (USA), Brooks Koepka (USA), Tom Kim (KOR)

with agencies