Jason Day will begin his sixth Masters as the heavy favourite, matched with American Matt Kuchar and South African Ernie Els in the first round. He is the world number one, and winner of six of his last 13 tournaments, including back-to-to back victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and WGC-Dell Match Play. Day and company are scheduled to tee off at 1.06pm on 7 April.

"The current form, I feel good about my game. I feel comfortable with where I'm at, walking around the grounds, no. 1 in the world; it's a good feeling, but I know that I can't take it for granted, because obviously in this game, things can change pretty quickly," he said.

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Day also won the final major of 2015, the PGA Championship, and finished tied for ninth at the US Open, espite a debilitating vertigo attack. He was also a shot away from the play-off at The Open. However, Day tried to downplay his designation as the 2016 favourite.

"There's so many players that can win around here, and there's not just one heavy favourite this week, which is fantastic. I think it's good for the game of golf and I think it's good for this tournament, as well. I'm excited about the week. I'm excited about getting ready and preparing and getting the week underway,' he added.

World number two, Jordan Spieth, triumphed five times on the PGA Tour last season, including two majors, and will tee off in the year's opening major with fellow American Bryson DeChambeau and England's Paul Casey.

In other groupings, 2013 champion Adam Scott of Australia will set off with Americans Kevin Kisner and Brooks Koepka while 2011 winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa has been paired with American Davis Love III and Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello.

Twice Masters champion Bubba Watson, aiming to become the sixth triple winner at Augusta National, will start out in the company of South African Branden Grace and Englishman Ian Poulter. Northern Irish world number three Rory McIlroy, Germany's Martin Kaymer and American Bill Haas will tee off in the final group of the day.