DHAKA: Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson will head the field in Tiger Woods`s absence when the 78th Masters gets under way at the Augusta National on Thursday.

Woods is missing after having back surgery, but the world number one has not won at Augusta since 2005 and the tournament is considered wide open.

Northern Ireland`s McIlroy is the bookmakers` favourite to clinch a first Masters Green Jacket and third major.

Adam Scott bids to become the fourth player to win back-to-back titles.

 The 24-year-old McIlroy suffered an infamous meltdown at Augusta in 2011 when he blew a four-shot lead going into the final round, but he has won two majors since and has put behind him a miserable 2013 season.

"Mind, body, equipment, it`s all there," he said. "There are no excuses if I don`t do well this week."

American left-hander Mickelson is the crowd favourite and can join Arnold Palmer and Woods on four Green Jackets, 10 years after winning his first.

"It`s a magical place," said Mickelson. "I just love everything about this tournament."

The 43-year-old won the Open at Muirfield last summer for a fifth major title and the third leg of a career Grand Slam of all four majors, with only the US Open, in which he has a record six runner-up spots, missing.

Mickelson admits the Masters feels "weird" without Woods, who is missing the tournament for the first time since his debut as an amateur in 1995.

The 38-year-old has been stranded on 14 majors since 2008 as he chases Nicklaus`s record of 18 major titles.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1040 HRS, APR 10, 2014