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Jason Day and Adam Scott have made a solid start during a rain-interrupted first round of the Zurich Classic teams event on the PGA Tour.

Starting their round on the back nine, tournament favourites Day and Scott were seven-under par and four shots off the pace through 16 holes when play was suspended for the day.

Earlier nearly 75mm of heavy rain and lightning forced a stoppage in play lasting more than seven hours on Thursday.

The first players to tee off were on the course for a little more than two-and-half hours when the horn sounded to suspend play.

Scott Stallings and Trey Mullinax shot a best-ball 11-under 61 to top the leaderboard.

Stallings and Mullinax, who started on the back nine, birdied their last four holes at the TPC Louisiana - and seven of nine holes after the turn - for a one-stroke lead over two teams.

Martin Laird and Nick Taylor, who were in the same group as the leaders, finished at 10 under.

But the team of Brian Gay and Rory Sabbatini had both of the top teams in their sights after birdies on the first five holes of the back nine got them to 10 under through 14 holes.

All but 13 teams still had part or all of the first round still to play when darkness stopped play.

Seventeen teams were within five shots of the lead.

As the only team event on the PGA Tour, the Zurich Classic field is comprised of 80 two-player teams that play a best-ball format in the first and third rounds and alternate shot in the second and final rounds.

Masters champion Tiger Woods plans to compete in Japan for the first time in 13 years.

Woods said on Twitter that he is excited to be playing in the inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan, which he describes as one of his favourite countries.

Japan's first PGA Tour tournament will be held from October 24-27 at Accordia Golf Chiba Narashino Country Club.

The tournament is co-sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour.

It has a 78-man field competing for a $US9.75 million ($A13.90 million) purse.

Woods last played in Japan in 2006 at the Dunlop Phoenix, where he lost in a playoff to Padraig Harrington.

He won the Dunlop Phoenix the previous two years, and in 2001 teamed with David Duval as the United States won the World Cup.

Jason Day candidly admits his attitude has been lacking in the Presidents Cup previously and he wants to make amends at Royal Melbourne in December - hopefully in a glamour pairing with Adam Scott.

Former world No.1 Day's record for the International team in the biennial clashes with the powerhouse United States team is poor - earning just seven points from 20 matches across four Presidents Cup contests.

In the foursomes - alternate shot - format, he has no wins from eight outings.

Day admitted on Tuesday that the timing of the Cup contests late in the year had found him wanting.

"I'm the first one to put my hand up...because, unfortunately, it has to start at the top, and I've made mistakes with regards to not mentally being there," said Day of his 2017 Cup performance in South Korea where he went 1-3-1.

"I need to understand we've got 11 other guys on the team that are trying just as hard or trying even harder than myself, so I've got to pick the slack up too."

Internationals captain Ernie Els is trying to reverse the team's long losing streak by building culture and combinations for the future.

Hence Day and countryman Scott have joined forces at this week's two-man PGA Tour teams event in New Orleans, along with other potential team combos including Branden Grace and Justin Harding, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and Si Woo Kim and Sangmoon Bae.

Again the Internationals face a huge task. On current rankings US captain Tiger Woods could draw his entire 12-man team from the world top 20 while Els would need to go down to No.54, with only Day in the top 20.

"I've sat through a lot of Presidents Cup beat-downs over the years, and I've kind of had enough of it," said No.28 Scott.

"So I'm prepared to do whatever it takes, whatever Ernie thinks it takes, to kind of change the culture in our team. Certainly an effort has been made by a lot of guys here this week that want to do that."

While they have been on four Presidents Cup teams together, Day and Scott have only combined in one Cup match, earning a half in 2017.

Scott said he'd asked to play more with Day in the past.

"You have to do what's best for the team, but I would definitely push for this pairing certainly in Australia. I think it's very formidable," he said.

Day is ready to draw from Scott's passion for Presidents Cup.

"Scottie has been one of the major voices in the team room, and you can see in his emotions and his attitude with regard to losing every single year, " said Day.

"It's disappointing for me to sit there and know that I can do better, and I should be doing better.

"But you know, I'm going to try and change my attitude and be a lot better for the Presidents Cups that I can play in."

Adam Scott believes the Australian Open can snare some of the United States' star-studded Presidents Cup team despite the tournament clashing with Tiger Woods's event in the Bahamas.

Woods, the American team captain, announced on Tuesday his 18-man Hero World Challenge will run December 4-7 - concurrent to the Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

As recently as March, Woods's management and PGA Tour officials would not confirm the dates of his event while the two parties negotiated a desirable outcome for the Presidents Cup, which the tour owns.

The biennial showpiece, which pits an International team against the US, will be held at Royal Melbourne from December 12-15.

However, with Woods expected to be a rare playing captain in Melbourne, his management and charitable arm made the concession to finish his event a day early, on Saturday, in order for the Americans to arrive in Australia on Monday.

Australian fans are concerned the majority of the American team will play Woods' $US3.5 million, no-cut event but the eligibility criteria is strict.

The Hero invites reigning major winners, the defending Hero champion, two sponsor exemptions and the best 11 available golfers on the world rankings.

Scott, likely to make a record-setting ninth appearance for the Internationals, says playing in Sydney will be an option several Americans will take.

"I think they'll get some (Americans to play the Australian Open)," Scott told AAP.

"The prospect of playing in Australia the week before the Presidents Cup is appealing to some in that team."

But it is not an outcome Scott wants.

The former world No.1 believes the Internationals could do with a tired and underprepared American team.

In 1998, just two American team members contested the Open at Royal Adelaide before the Internationals won in Melbourne the next week - their only victory in the Cup's 25-year history.

"I'd much rather see most of the American team come down on Monday, jet-lagged," Scott said.

"But the American team now is much different (to 1998); these guys have travelled a lot more and played around the world.

"If there is ever a place we could have an advantage, it is Royal Melbourne."

Renowned golf course architect and former professional Mike Clayton said the Australian Open is a better chance to pick up several International stars than Americans.

The current International team standings for the Presidents Cup include major winners Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen, as well as Chinese star Haotong Li.

"I would think (captain) Ernie (Els) and (assistant) Geoff (Ogilvy) will encourage the Internationals to play the Australian Open," Clayton told AAP.

"Although The Australian Golf Club is vastly different to Royal Melbourne, the benefits are a better adjustment to the time zone, as well as strengthening team morale."

Jason Day and Adam Scott have been installed as favourites as they join forces to contest the US PGA Tour's two-man teams event in New Orleans this week.

Australia's two former world No.1s have not played as a duo since the 2015 Presidents Cup, while they also combined to win the teams category at the 2013 World Cup in Melbourne.

Both Day and Scott have been in strong form this year and shared the 36-hole lead at the Masters this month.

Their reunion in the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana has bookmakers and PGA Tour fantasy experts tipping them to come out on top.

They are combining at the request of Presidents Cup captain Ernie Els, who wanted International team hopefuls to partner up in New Orleans to strengthen chemistry ahead of the clash with the United States in Melbourne in December.

Scott will be making his Zurich Classic debut and the Aussies will face several other big-name combinations among the 80 teams including Sergio Garcia with Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Reed with Patrick Cantlay.

"It's going to be great fun to team up with Scotty," Day told AAP on Monday.

"He's been in some very solid form recently with regards to his results on the PGA Tour."

Day and Scott will be the centre of attention for the opening rounds in New Orleans as the major winners are likely to be a 'featured group' on the broadcast coverage.

The format has teams play four-ball (best ball) in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and final rounds.

Scott and Day should complement each other in alternate shot.

Day ranks fifth on the PGA Tour for strokes gained off the tee and fourth for putting.

Scott's world-class ball-striking has him rated 42nd for iron play while his putting rank has dramatically improved to 14th.

"I guess, on paper, we are one of the stronger teams but that means nothing; we still have to go out there and perform," Day said.

"With that said, we are capable of winning and I think teaming up we are even stronger.

"We all know how tremendous a ball striker Scotty is, and I feel I am driving it well this year.

"My irons have also improved, they were much better at the Masters, and that gives me more chances to rely on my strength, which is my putting."

AUSTRALIANS AND THEIR TEAMS FOR THE ZURICH CLASSIC

Jason Day/Adam Scott

Cameron Smith/Jonas Blixt (Swe) - 2017 champions

Rod Pampling/John Senden

Aaron Baddeley/Adam Hadwin (Can)

Cameron Davis/Kyle Jones (US)

Matt Jones/JJ Spaun (US)

Curtis Luck/Hank Lebioda (US)

Australians Hannah Green and Minjee Lee are off to a bright start in the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship in Hawaii but Nelly Korda may take some catching.

Women's Australian Open winner Korda, 20, fired a bogey-free, nine under 63 opening round at Ko Olina Golf Club as she seeks her third LPGA title of the year.

The American took a one-shot lead from South Korea's Eun-Hee Ji, who birdied six of the last eight holes in her 64, while defending champion Brooke Henderson and Hyejin Choi were a further shot back.

Green holed out for eagle from inside 100 metres on the third hole on the way to a 66 which left her tied fifth.

World No.4 Lee, the 2016 Lotte Championship winner, shot a bogey-free 67.

Fellow Aussie Katherine Kirk had a 70

Jack Nicklaus says the steely nerves of Tiger Woods mean it may be only a matter of time before his long-standing record of 18 golf major titles is toppled.

Capping one of sport's greatest comebacks, Woods breathed new life into his career-long quest to surpass Nicklaus by ending an 11-year major title drought with his fifth Masters victory on Sunday.

The 43-year-old took his majors total to 15 and sparked emotional scenes when he came from behind amid deafening roars around Augusta National to secure his first since the 2008 US Open.

Now the big question is how much more he can achieve.

"He (Woods) is playing so much better than anyone else, he deserves to win," an admiring Nicklaus said.

"Every shot I saw him hit (in the final round) was a smart shot."

Often considered impregnable, Nicklaus's record has stood for 33 years since he won the last of his six Masters titles in 1986 at age 46.

He treasures his place at the top in golf history but says it's Woods's putting performance that best indicates he can challenge it.

"To pinpoint one thing that helps longevity at Augusta National it's putting. @TigerWoods was perfect today inside 10 feet," Nicklaus posted on Twitter after the third round.

"Putting is about nerve (and) nerves. As long as Tiger has that under control, he can win at the Masters for (the) next 10 years. Tiger's nerve is still pretty darn good!"

An 81st PGA Tour win propelled Woods to world No.6 less than two years after he was ranked No.1199.

He started Sunday two shots off the lead and shot a strategic two-under-par 70 to win at 13-under 275 as his rivals faltered, triumphing by one shot from Dustin Johnson (68), Xander Schauffele (68) and Brooks Koepka (70).

"It's something I'll never forget," an emotional Woods said.

Plagued by chronic injuries, which forced repeated back surgeries, and off-course scandals, fans feared they would never see the superstar win on the majors stage again.

But Woods's last three results at the majors include this win, a runner-up at the PGA Championship and a sixth at the British Open.

"I can win majors now," said Woods, who also earned his first PGA Tour victory since 2013 at last year's Tour Championship.

"The win at East Lake was a big confidence-booster for me because I had come close a couple times without getting across the finish line," he said.

"I didn't do it at The Open Championship. I was a little better at the PGA but still I didn't win.

"I (can) still win out here and against the best players.

"My last three major championships have been pretty good, so that gives me a lot of confidence going down the road."

Fuelling hope Woods can reach a 16th major this year is the fact next two venues are courses he has won at previously.

The PGA Championship, in its new May date, will be held at New York's Bethpage Black.

Woods defeated Phil Mickelson there to win the 2002 US Open while he also finished tied sixth at the 2009 edition.

The US Open heads to Pebble Beach in June, the coastal California course Woods recorded the most dominant major victory in history when he won the 2000 event by 15 shots.

Jason Day says his best Masters result in five years has him counting down the day's until next year's Augusta National major.

Day's Sunday charge came too late in what was a disappointing week for the Australian contingent, given Day and Adam Scott shared the 36-hole lead.

Former world No.1 Day started the third round tied for the lead but capitulated with a 73, only to bounce back with a five-under-par 67 on Sunday to finish tied fifth at 11 under.

Tiger Woods came from behind with a 70 to earn a 13-under-par (275) total and a one-shot Masters win from Brooks Koepka (70), Dustin Johnson (68) and Xander Schauffele (68).

Day earned his best placing at Augusta since a solo third behind countryman Scott - when he became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013.

Frustrated by throwing away a chance this year on Saturday, Day said he was pleased with his finish.

Still, the green jacket eludes the 31-year-old.

"Being from Australia, this is the one I've always wanted to win,' said Day, who was also runner-up in 2011.

"I always hold it a little dearer than the other majors ... I want to win all of them but this is a little more special.

"I was discouraged with how things happened on Saturday but it's nice to finish off the Masters with a good solid round."

Day came within striking distance of then leader Francesco Molinari midway through the back nine when he birdied the par 5s at No.13 and No.15.

He also birdied the 18th but finished two back of Woods.

"I didn't start to notice the leaderboard until the back nine but I thought if I could birdie 12, 13, 14 and 15 then I'd be in with a chance," Day said.

Day's tournament will be particularly frustrating for Australian fans given he double-bogeyed the reachable par-5 15th hole on Saturday.

"This is my best finish since 2013, that is a bit of a dry spell," he said.

"But I love this course; it tests your emotions and attitude."

Scott was unable to mount a final-round charge, shooting 73 to share 18th at six under.

The former world No.1's hopes were all but over when he double-bogeyed the par-3 fourth and bogeyed the par-4 fifth.

"It was not easy today. Unfortunately, 4 and 5 were big set backs after a good start the first couple of holes and they put me on the back foot," Scott said.

Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith also faded on Sunday.

Leishman carded a 75 to share 49th at one over, while Smith's 77 left him tied for 51st at two over.

MILESTONES TIGER WOODS HAS ACHIEVED WITH A FIFTH MASTERS WIN

* Woods secured his 15th major championship, bringing him within three of Jack Nicklaus' record 18 titles

* It is Woods' fifth Masters after donning the green jacket in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005. Only Nicklaus (six) has more

* It is Woods' first ever come-from-behind victory at a major championship. Each of his previous 14 victories came from at least a share of the 54-hole lead

* Woods moves up six spots to No.6 on the world rankings, less than two years after being ranked 1199th

* Woods' 81st career PGA Tour victory moves him to within one of Sam Snead's all-time record 82 wins

* Woods becomes the first champion in 83 Masters to receive more than $US2 million in prizemoney. Pockets $US2,070,000 ($A2.9 million) which increases his lead on top of the PGA Tour's all-time career earnings list to $US118,309,570 ($A165 million)

* Woods' 14 years between Masters wins beats Gary Player's record gap of 13 years

* Woods is the second player after Nicklaus to win the Masters in three different decades

* Joins Jack Nicklaus as the only player to win majors 20 years apart (Nicklaus 24 years, Woods 22 years)

* The Masters is the seventh different PGA Tour event Woods has won five times. Nicklaus and Snead are the closest with three of such events

Draped in his trademark final-round red shirt, Tiger Woods has begun his quest for a fifth Masters green jacket at Augusta National.

Playing in the final group off at 9.20am on Sunday due to forecast storms, Woods will attempt to chase down playing partner and leader Francesco Molinari having duelled with the Italian at the British Open last year - which Molinari won.

Woods hit a 3-wood down the left side of the fairway on the par-4 first before firing his iron shot to within close range and two-putting for a stress-free opening par.

He remains at 11 under and two back of Molinari, who managed to hole a clutch 13-foot par putt having missed the green.

Final group member Tony Finau is also at 11 under, while boom American youngster Xander Schauffele has picked up two shots to move to 10 under alongside three-time major winner Brooks Koepka.

Jason Day and Adam Scott sit at six under after Scott made double-bogey at the par-4 fourth.

Their fellow Australian Marc Leishman is two under and even with Sunday's scorecard.

Cameron Smith has dropped two shots to fall to one under.

Masters officials were forced to make the rare move of sending out final-round competitors in threesomes off two tees due to an impending storm.

The storm was scheduled to hit the Augusta, Georgia area at 4pm local time but is now likely to arrive before noon - increasing concerns the Masters may go to a rare Monday finish.