Adam Scott believes the absence of fans will be the biggest difference at the Masters beginning this week.

No fans will be in attendance at Augusta, where the Masters begin on Thursday after being rescheduled from April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While conditions are also set to be different – and rain is forecast throughout the major – Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, said playing without fans was undoubtedly the biggest factor.

"I think a lot's different about the year, but this week and the Masters being played in these circumstances, there's no doubt the missing galleries is going to be the biggest difference," the Australian told a news conference. 

"I've played two major championships since we've come back from this COVID break, and it couldn't be more different playing major championship golf without the spectators out there and the crowds and the atmosphere, and that is a huge difference.

"The things that will be the same is it still means the same to us all, and maybe even more so because we return to Augusta National every year. 

"Everything that the club does to make this a special event for everybody who gets to watch it, whether that's on TV, the patrons who come to the grounds or the players, it's an incredible experience, and that is why it means so much to us all. That will be the same.

"We'll be missing one element, but it is a huge element to the experience of playing the Masters."

Scott won the Genesis Invitational in February, but the world number 15 is yet to hit top form since returning to action after the coronavirus-enforced break.

In the past five events, Scott's best finish was a tie for 22nd at the US PGA Championship, while he also tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

"I think it's been very challenging for me personally, and I'm not going to sit here and complain about how difficult it's been," Scott said.

"I was in good form back then in the spring, and because of all the circumstances, it's really affected my preparation and my practice, and many things since returning. 

"I think all the guys who are based internationally and not based here in the United States would probably feel similar. It's not easy moving around at the moment, and lots of different restrictions depending where you are and where you're moving to. But coming back here this week, since testing positive, last week wasn't too bad.

"There was a lot of good stuff in there, and hopefully the work that I have done and been able to do the last couple of months will accumulate and I'll be able to finish the year with a bang here this week. Certainly my form hasn't been as good since, but everything's been very inconsistent."