Bryson DeChambeau set the round one pace at The Masters as the LIV golfer topped the opening day leaderboard at Augusta National. The big-hitting DeChambeau survived blustery conditions at the first men’s major of the year to shoot an outstanding 65 at a course where he has enjoyed limited success in the past.
Leading the chasers is Scottie Scheffler, continuing his excellent form with a smooth 66 to finish six-under. The PGA Tour’s dominant player and 2022 green jacket winner had arrived at Augusta as the favourite to add a second Masters crown to his collection and produced a typically composed and confident round.
The start of play was delayed by two and a half hours after morning storms, and while the rain cleared, the wind provided challenges throughout. Soft surfaces allowed players who remained in control to score relatively freely, though, with plenty top golfers to the fore. Rory McIlroy signed for a 71 after bouncing back from a slow start, while bogeys at the last two holes left Jon Rahm, the defending champion, at one-over. The surprise of the day, though, was Danny Willett — playing his first tournament since shoulder surgery just six months ago, the 2016 Masters winner produced a lovely 68 to suggest another enjoyable weekend on the immaculate Georgia course.
Tiger Woods made a solid start after the five-time winner said that he’s targeting “one more green jacket” to take him to 16 major titles, despite the pain he faces on the vast majority of shots at Augusta. He, and a number of other players, will conclude their first round on Friday after fading light forced a curtailment to Thursday’s play.
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Homa joins the lead; Woods makes bogey
Woods +1 (4), Homa -7 (4), Day +3 (4)
Wow! What a putt from Homa, pouring in his birdie effort from 36 feet at the par-3 fourth. He joins DeChambeau at the top of the leaderboard.
Woods, meanwhile, gifts a shot back after his birdie the hole prior. An errant tee shot is the cause and he can’t get up and down from left of the green to remain level par.
Day was in a similar spot to Woods but he manages to save his par to remain at +3.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:29
Birdies for Spieth and Aberg
Spieth +7 (2), Aberg E (2), Theegala +2 (2)
Both Spieth and Aberg take care of the par-5 second to get their first birdies of the round, while Theegala’s effort is left out to the right side.
Much-needed for Spieth after his bogey on the first but plenty more work to do for the American to have a chance of making the weekend.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:24
Back-to-back bogeys for Hojgaard
The Dane compounds one bogey into another after a poor tee shot at the par-3 sixth. The gettable par-5 eighth, though, to come soon for the 23-year-old to get one back.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:17
Woods back to level par
Woods E (3), Homa -6 (3), Day +3 (3)
A divine wedge into the third green gives Woods another good look at birdie and he makes no mistake this time to get himself back to level par for the tournament. A good start.
Homa and Day’s birdie chances go begging so it’s a pair of pars for them.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:14
Pavon joins the party at -4
You’ll struggle to see many better tee shots into the par-3 fourth than that today from the Frenchman – delightful.
He nurses in the putt for birdie and he’s up alongside Hojgaard, Willett and Young at -4.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:08
All falling apart for Spieth
Spieth +8 (1), Aberg +1 (1), Theegala +2 (1)
It’s not looking pretty for Spieth out there as he bogeys his first hole of the second round to drop further off the pace. The 2015 champion is now ahead of just five players as he slips back to a tie for 81st.
Playing partners Aberg and Theegala make their pars.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:04
Back-to-back birdies for Young
Well, there’s another birdie for Young at the third and suddenly he’s up into a tie for fourth. He finished second at the Valspar Championship in his last start a few weeks back and looks to have brought that form with him to Augusta so far.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:02
Bogey for Hojgaard
Ah, that’s a real bummer for the Dane who did so superbly to recover from a poor drive off the fifth tee. A superb wedge in gave him a great look at par but he can’t convert the chance and he drops back to -4.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 16:01
Woods misses out but Homa up to second
Woods +1 (2), Homa -6 (2), Day +3 (2)
Woods has a 12-footer for a birdie at the second but leaves it just short and right in the jaw of the hole. A gut-wrenching miss for the American who misses a great chance to get back to level par for the tournament.
It’s a tame stroke, too, from Day who also settles for par.
Homa makes no mistake, though, pouring in his birdie attempt from a similar range to Day’s. He’s up into a tie for second now alongside Scheffler.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 15:59
Young and Pavon moving up
Young -3 (2), Pavon -3 (3)
Cam Young has an impressive major record and gets off to a solid start in the second round with a birdie at the second.
Pavon, playing just ahead of him, does the same, and he’s looking really solid in what is his maiden Masters appearance.
Ben Fleming12 April 2024 15:54