5 things to know about the 87th Masters Tournament

The Masters Tournament returns to Augusta National Golf Club for the 87th edition of the first major on the men's golf calendar, with the competition running from April 6-9. Practice rounds begin Monday, April 3, with the Par 3 Contest set for Wednesday before the tournament kicks off.

This tournament has plenty of storylines — including members of LIV Golf, the controversial tour with players that left the PGA Tour, in the mix competing for a coveted green jacket.

Here's five things to watch in the 2023 Masters:

LIV golfers in the field at The Masters

Augusta officials announced in February that LIV golfers who met Masters qualifications would be eligible to play in the 2023 Masters. This will be the first Masters since the division of the tours started with the first LIV tournament in June 2022.

LIV Golfers at the 2023 Masters LIV players in the Masters: The list is set with 18 eligible to play at Augusta National

Eighteen LIV golfers are expected to compete, including three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who missed last year's tournament. Other past Masters champions from LIV set to play include Dustin Johnson, two-time champion Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Charl Schawartzel.

The other LIV golfers in the field are: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Louis Oosthuizen, Harold Varner, Abraham Ancer, Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na, Joaquin Niemann, Mito Peirera and Thomas Pieters.

Changes at Augusta National No. 13

The par-5 13th hole at Augusta National, knows as Azalea, has always been a pivotal spot on the course at the end of Amen Corner.

There have been a number of famous shots on the hole, including Phil Mickelson's 6-iron from the pine straw in 2010, but in recent years the longest hitters on tour have been hitting the green on their second shots with short irons on occasion.

Augusta National took notice and decided to lengthen the hole — backing up the tee box and stretching things out from 510 yards to 545 yards. The new look will force players to rethink their strategy — with the tributary of Rae's Creek becoming more of a factor fronting the green.

2023 Masters Qualifiers: Here are the players invited to play in the tournament

Augusta Masters champion Larry Mize to say goodbye

Augusta native Larry Mize announced in January that the 2023 tournament, his 40th consecutive appearance at the Masters, will be his last.

Mize used to work a Masters scoreboard in his high school days at Augusta Prep and went on to star at Georgia Tech. His win in the 1987 Masters featured one of the most iconic moments in tournament history when he holed out a chip shot for birdie on the par-4 11th hole to best Greg Norman in a playoff (Seve Ballestreros was eliminated in the first sudden death hole).

Mize to play final Masters in 2023 1987 champion Larry Mize makes decision about his future ahead of 2023 Masters

Mize, 64, had four wins in his career on the PGA Tour and another on the Champions.

Tiger Woods expected to play again

Five-time champion Tiger Woods is expected to make his 25th appearance at the Masters. The 47-year-old, 15-time major champion would be playing for just the second time on tour in 2023.

Woods made the cut at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles in February — shooting 1-under par to tie for 45th place.

His fifth win at Augusta National came in 2019, in one of the most memorable moments in the rich history of the Masters.

Woods has played a limited schedule since his serious car accident in Southern California in February 2021. He returned for the 2022 Masters, and finished 47th. He ended up withdrawing for the 2022 PGA Championship in May at Southern Hills Country Club, and then missed the cut at The Open last July at St. Andrew's.

Woods odds to win the Masters are listed at 45-1 by Odds Shark.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler a favorite to repeat

Talking the talk: Masters champion Scottie Scheffler honest with himself as he rises to top of the golf world

Scottie Scheffler won his first major here last year, winning by three shots. The former University of Texas star moved back to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings on March 12 with his runaway win at The Players Championship.

Odds makers have Scheffler, a six-time winner on tour, as the favorite this year. Odds Shark has the 26-year-old listed at 8-1 to win another green jacket.

Jon Rahm of Spain, ranked No. 2 in the world, is listed at 9-1, with Irishman Rory McIlroy listed at 10-1 to win and complete the career Grand Slam.

British Open champion Cameron Smith, now competing in LIV Golf, is at 16-1, with 2015 Masters champ Jordan Spieth at 18-1.

Rising PGA star Max Homa is at 20-1, with Justin Thomas, Colin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay all listed at 22-1.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2023 Things To Know: Longer No. 13, LIV golfers, Tiger is back