AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, set to attract huge crowds on his much hyped return to the Masters, has been grouped with fellow American Jimmy Walker and Welshman Jamie Donaldson for Thursday's first round at Augusta National.

Four-time champion Woods, who missed the Masters last year while recovering from back surgery, will be competing for the first time in two months after a self-imposed absence from the PGA Tour due to poor form.

Woods, Donaldson and Walker, a double winner on the 2014-15 PGA Tour, will tee off in the penultimate group of the day at 1.48pm.

Northern Ireland's world number one Rory McIlroy will launch his bid for a third consecutive Major victory, and a career grand slam, in the company of Americans Ryan Moore and three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson.

McIlroy, who is seeking his first green jacket, and his playing partners are scheduled to tee off at 10.41am.