Masters 2015: Jamie Donaldson confident of challenging at Augusta

Jamie Donaldson turned professional in 2000

Welsh golfer Jamie Donaldson is confident he can challenge for the green jacket at his third US Masters in Augusta.

World number 27 Donaldson, 39, tees off in the same group as Tiger Woods and hopes to improve on his joint-14th finish in 2014.

"Last year was a decent finish," said the 2014 European Ryder Cup player.

"We are looking to do better than that and try and get out there and contend for the lead on Sunday."

In 2014 Pontypridd-born Donaldson would have claimed a top five finish but for a third round 76.

He says he is happy with his form going into the major, but believes an improvement in his putting could be key to his hopes of success.

"I'm playing pretty good. The last couple of weeks the ball just hasn't gone in the hole but the game's pretty good," he said.

"This week I'd like to just start getting used to seeing that ball going back in the hole again."

The only other Welshman in the field is 1991 champion Ian Woosnam, who is in a group with with Erik Compton of the USA and Australian Marc Leishman.

Tee-off times and pairings for Thursday's first round and Friday's second round

(all players US unless stated; all times BST; a=amateur)

12:45 (Thurs), 15:52 (Fri): Charley Hoffman, Brian Harman

12:56, 16:03: Larry Mize, Danny Willett (Eng), (a) Byron Meth

13:07, 16:14: Tom Watson, Gary Woodland, Camilo Villegas (Col)

13:18, 16:25: Mike Weir (Can), Ben Crane, (a) Corey Conners (Can)

13:29, 16:36: Vijay Singh (Fij), Russell Henley, Darren Clarke (NI)

13:40, 16:47: Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa), Brendon Todd, Kevin Na (Kor)

13:51, 17:09: Jonas Blixt (Swe), Kevin Streelman, Stephen Gallacher (Sco)

14:02, 17:20: Patrick Reed, Keegan Bradley, Ian Poulter (Eng)

14:13, 17:31: Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Lee Westwood (Eng), Anirban Lahiri (Ind)

14:24, 17:42: Bubba Watson, Justin Rose (Eng), (a) Gunn Yang (Kor)

14:35, 17:53: Adam Scott (Aus), Dustin Johnson, (a) Antonio Murdaca (Aus)

15:19, 18:26: Webb Simpson, Hideki Matsuyama (Jap), Paul Casey (Eng)

15:30, 18:37: Charl Schwartzel (SA), Joost Luiten (Ned), Sangmoon Bae (Kor)

15:41, 18:48: Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy (NI), Ryan Moore

15:52, 18:59: J. B. Holmes, Martin Kaymer (Ger), Brandt Snedeker

16:03, 12:45:Ian Woosnam (Wal), Erik Compton, Marc Leishman (Aus)

16:14, 12:56: Trevor Immelman (SA), Kevin Stadler, (a) Scott Harvey

16:25, 13:07: Ben Martin, Robert Streb, Cameron Tringale

16:36, 13:18: Sandy Lyle (Sco), Seung-Yul Noh (Kor), (a) Bradley Neil (Sco)

16:47, 13:29: Bernhard Langer (Ger), Bernd Wiesberger (Aut), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)

17:09, 13:40: Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els (SA)

17:20, 13:51: Angel Cabrera (Arg), Louis Oosthuizen (SA), (a) Matias Dominguez (Chi)

17:31, 14:02: Mark O'Meara, Chris Kirk, Shane Lowry (Ire)

17:42, 14:13: Padraig Harrington (Ire), Ryan Palmer, Thomas Bjorn (Den)

17:53, 14:24: James Hahn (Kor), Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Hunter Mahan

18:04, 14:35: Matt Kuchar, Brooks Koepka, Graeme McDowell (NI)

18:15, 14:57: Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson (Swe), Billy Horschel

18:26, 15:08: Fred Couples, Branden Grace (SA), Thongchai Jaidee (Thai)

18:37, 15:19: Luke Donald (Eng), Victor Dubuisson (Fra), John Senden (Aus)

18:48, 15:30: Tiger Woods, Jamie Donaldson (Wal), Jimmy Walker

18:59, 15:41: Jason Day (Aus), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Rickie Fowler