( CNN ) -- Adam Scott , bidding to become just the second man in more than two decades to win the Masters in back-to-back years , kicks off his title defense in the company of Jason Dufner and Matthew Fitzpatrick . Scott , who downed Angel Cabrera in a second playoff hole in 2013 , and Dufner share at least one thing in common : They won their opening majors last year . In Scott 's case , it ended years of near misses at golf 's biggest events . The famously laid-back Dufner -- `` Dufnering '' is a phenomenon -- captured the PGA Championship about four months after Scott became the first Australian to wear the famous green jacket and 19-year-old Fitzpatrick has earned a reputation , too . Last August he became the first Englishman to claim the U.S . Amateur Championship in more than 100 years . They begin round 1 at Augusta at 10:41 a.m. local time Thursday . Scott , the highest-ranked golfer in the field because of Tiger Woods ' absence , has already been on the course this year , playing a round with his father last week . `` No doubt he had a great time , '' Scott was quoted as saying by the Golf Channel . `` And so did I . '' Scott , according to British bookmaker William Hill , is the joint favorite with former No . 1 Rory McIlroy , who starts alongside Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed 11 minutes after Scott . Phil Mickelson , Ernie Els and Justin Rose -- who own a combined 10 majors -- are the second-last trio to get underway , at 1:48 p.m. on Thursday . Three-time Masters champion Mickelson enters the tournament under an injury cloud , pulling out of the Texas Open with a side injury late last month . Woods misses out after undergoing back surgery .
Reigning champion Adam Scott paired with Jason Dufner at Masters . Playing alongside Jason Dufner and Phil Mickelson is U.S . Amateur champ Jason Dufner . Rory McIlroy plays with Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in opening two rounds . Major winners Dufner , Ernie Els and Adam Scott are paired together .