The trio have 11 green jackets between them but of the three only Nicklaus has ever successfully defended his title, a task which Rory McIlroy faces when he tees off at 10.31am local time (3.31pm BST).

McIlroy is looking to join Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo – whose six-major record he could also equal – in an elite club of players who have won back-to-back at Augusta.

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Not long after the three Masters greats had walked off the first tee having hit the ceremonial opening drives at 7.25am the real action started with American John Keefer and China’s Haotong Li teeing off the tournament proper.

Max Homa was one of the more recognisable names out early, at 7.50am with 60-year-old two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who admits he now struggles with the additional length of the course, in the group behind.

Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are out at 9.55am and 10.07am, the latter alongside one of the favourites this week in Bryson DeChambeau.

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa will test his injured back teeing off at 10.19am before McIlroy strides onto the tee for what is sure to be a rousing welcome.

His form has been poor coming into the tournament compared to last year and he is already predicting the 11 under which put him into a play-off which he won against Justin Rose 12 months ago will be a good target.

“I think this week is going to be dry, already it’s a little windy, and the course is already firming up,” he said.

“If the conditions continue to be the way they are double digits under par would be an amazing score.

“It’s not going to be a low-scoring Masters and that’s going to be fun for everyone.”