Rory McIlroy looking forward to partnering Mickelson

Rory McIlroy will get his bid for a career grand slam under way in the company of Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore as the draw for opening two rounds of the year’s first major was announced.

World number one McIlroy will tee off in the Masters at 3:41pm Irish time tomorrow as he attempts to complete the fourth and final leg of the professional majors and join an elite group containing only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Mickelson is also one major shy of the set but the three-time major champion will have to wait until the US Open in June to make his challenge for membership.

“I enjoy playing with Phil,” McIlroy said last night. “And I’ve played with Ryan Moore a couple times before. There’s always a good buzz here at Augusta, Phil’s done so well here.

"Not sure I’ve ever played with Phil here before. It will be good. I enjoy his company and I enjoy (Mickelson’s caddie) Bones’ company, as well. So should be a nice, fun group to be a part of.”

Their draw also means their second round will get under way at 6:48pm Irish time on Friday, a prime-time slot for US television which tomorrow has been given to four-time Masters winner Tiger Woods.

Woods, making his first appearance since taking a two-month sabbatical to fix his game, will get the perfect gauge of his progress having been drawn alongside in-form PGA Tour star Jimmy Walker with European Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson.

Two-time champion Bubba Watson begins his title defence at 2:24pm Irish time tomorrow in a grouping alongside US Amateur winner Gunn Yang of Korea with England’s Justin Rose also paired.

Darren Clarke gets the Irish challenge underway at 1:29pm, Shane Lowry makes his debut alongside former champion Mark O’Meara at 5:31pm, with Padraig Harrington returning to Augusta National 11 minutes later, and Graeme McDowell off at 6:04pm.