Scott Paired with Dufner & Fitzpatrick; Moreton Bay Bugs on the Menu


Defending champion Adam Scott will be paired in the first two rounds of the Masters with fellow touring pro Jason Dufner and, per tournament tradition, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. The latter is 19-year-old Englishman, Matthew Fitzpatrick, who attends Northwestern University.

Scott is intent on donning a green jacket for the second straight year. "I've really got this thing in my head that I'm quite determined to not leave it here," the Aussie told reporters on Sunday, while wearing the jacket he won after beating Argentina's Angel Cabrera last year in a playoff. "I am very determined to take it with me again next Sunday."

Added the 33-year-old from Adelaide: "It's been an incredible experience being the Masters champion, and it's something I'll be trying to do again, for sure. To have that green jacket hanging in your closet is worth any bit of extra stuff you might have to deal with in your professional world.

"Coming back to defend is going to be an incredible experience, like everything has been since last April."

On Tuesday, Scott revealed what will be served at Tuesday night's annual Champions Dinner. It won't be kangaroo or crocodile. Instead, an authentic Australian barbeque will comprise the menu. "I didn't pick anything exotic," he said. "It's a lot of surf and turf."

Among the dishes will be the famed Moreton Bay "bugs," a type of lobster from northeastern Australia. "They are legitimate bugs, the real deal," said Scott, who had the species of slipper lobster shipped in for the occasion.

"I'm not going to serve up anything second-rate tonight. I've got to go all-out to impress these guys. Hopefully, the guys can get past the name and enjoy a nice bit of seafood from home.

"I think the guys are going to be happy with what I serve tonight, particularly the wine."

With four-time green jacket winner Tiger Woods not participating this year due to recent back surgery, the focus shifts to other players. Among the marquee pairings are 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, Rickie Fowler and the year's only three-time winner, Jimmy Walker.

Reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Jordan Spieth is paired with two-time winner Patrick Reed and dual major champion Rory McIlroy. Bubba Watson - 2012 Masters winner, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia are in the same threesome.

Three major champions - three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose - are also in the same group.

The first father-son duo to ever play in the Masters, 1982 champion Craig Stadler and his son, Kevin, are playing in different groups. Kevin will be in the second group off with John Huh and 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam, while Craig is paired four tee times later with Scott Stallings and Martin Kaymer.

For all the pairings, visit http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/index.html.