AUGUSTA, United States (AFP) — The most hotly-anticipated Masters in years got underway early yesterday morning under the towering Georgia pines of Augusta National with a host of gripping potential story lines.

For the fourth straight year golfing legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player set the balls rolling as honorary starters before stepping aside for the first of the 97-strong field to tee off.

Playing conditions were perfect and the stage was set for a dramatic opening day of play.

First and foremost yesterday saw the return to competitive play of four-time winner Tiger Woods after a two-month timeout to try and get his game back together.

So far in the build-up this week, the signs have all been positive for him. Mentally and physically he looks a different man to the one who was driven off the course in a golf cart after 11 first-round holes at the Farmers Insurance tournament in February.

Then, world number one Rory McIlroy, who a new survey says has replaced Woods as the most marketable golfer in the world, looks to enter the history books as just the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam of the four majors.

Defending champion Bubba Watson is out to become just the second man — after Jack Nicklaus — to win three Masters in four years.

Adam Scott can make it two wins in three years, while a new wave of young American golfers, led by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, are firmly knocking at the door of major glory.

The Augusta National “patrons”, as golf fans are called here, had to bide their time to see Woods in action as he teed off in the penultimate grouping of the day at 1748 GMT alongside Welsh Davis Cup star Jamie Donaldson and in-form fellow American Jimmy Walker.

Late or early, the 39-year-old superstar is just glad to be back in action on a course where he has enjoyed the greatest moments of his career to date.

“There is no other tournament in the world like this, and to come back to a place that I’ve had so many great memories at and so many great times in my life, it’s always special,” he said of his return in search of a 15th major title almost seven years after winning his last one.