Justin Rose bloomed and Rory McIlroy blinked at Augusta National, while Jason Day ensured Australia’s under-the-radar Masters pursuit remained alive.
But looming large is defending champion Scottie Scheffler, after a day that began with prescient analysis from six-time champion Jack Nicklaus.
Day, who gave up a late lead to lose the green jacket to Adam Scott 12 years ago, barely missed a target in a bogey-free, two-under 70 on Thursday.
Min Woo Lee and a scrambling Cameron Smith (71) also gave themselves a chance with one-under efforts while Cameron Davis (74) and Scott (77) drifted.
Smith holed a long birdie putt on the 18th to sit equal 11th, a pleasing finale to what he feared was going to be a “long day” after hitting just six greens in regulation.
Day oozed control in parring his first 11 holes before back-to-back birdies helped him finish with a two-under 70 in a tie for seventh.
Jason Day on the 13th green at Augusta. Credit: Getty Images
Lee (71) mixed grit and brilliance in his first event since winning a maiden PGA Tour title, his birdie putt on the last lipping out as he matched Smith at one under.
Canada’s Corey Conners was the early clubhouse leader at four under before world No.1 Scheffler drained two long birdie putts to card a bogey-free 68 and join him.
Brits Tyrrell Hatton (69) and Aaron Rai (70) were also in the top 10 before fast-starting countryman Rose (seven under), who was six-under through 10 holes, roared to a day-one 65.
The former world No.1, US Open and 2016 Olympic champion bogeyed the last but still notched a first-round Masters lead for a staggering fifth time.
World No.2 Rory McIlroy (even-par 72) surged to four-under through 13 holes as his crawl to a career grand slam - and the tantalising prospect of a weekend Scheffler shoot-out - gathered pace.
Striving for his first green jacket, and major of any sort since clinching a fourth 11 years ago, McIlroy missed a birdie putt on the 14th then sent his chip tumbling across the green and into the water on the 15th.
He settled for a double-bogey seven, then three-putted the 17th to lose two more shots, a discipline issue that Thursday’s honorary starter Nicklaus had noted “keeps him from getting where he needs to go”.
Day, meanwhile, cruised in a mistake-free round to keep the dream of a second major title alive.
“I’m definitely coming in under the radar,” the former world No.1 said.
“I’m not to the point of how Scottie has been playing, how Rory has been playing, some of the other guys.
“I feel very just comfortable with where my game is at right now.
“I’ve just got to do some work on the greens. Hopefully some more putts drop.”
Lee overshot his approach to the first and dropped a stroke that he immediately cancelled out on the second hole.
He was one-under at the turn and then scrambled nicely on the par-four 11th when his obstructed second shot sprayed right, narrowly missing newly-planted pines.
Min Woo Lee’s shoes at Augusta. Credit: Getty Images
Lee, who battled the flu and a broken finger and still finished tied for 22nd at Augusta last year, was pleased with his best first-round effort - by two shots - in his fourth visit.
“Just lipped out,” he said of his putt on the 18th.
“It’s one of those things; if you’re giving yourself birdie putts at Augusta National, you’re doing a good job.”
Bryson DeChambeau (69), Ludvig Aberg (68) and the fast-finishing Akshay Bhatia (70), who mixed three bogeys and five birdies in his last nine holes, are all in the top 10.
Fred Couples, 65 and in his 40th Masters start, putted in from off the green on the first then eagled with a hybrid from 174 metres on the 14th.
The 1992 Masters champion ended up one under.
He’s now the second-oldest to break par and could extend his record as the oldest to make the cut after setting the mark two years ago.
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Who wins from here?
There’s a loooooooooot of golf to play out, but who do you fancy with three rounds to go?
A little movement at the top of the leaderboard
Corey Conners, in his eighth Masters start, finishes with a flourish, making birdies on 15, 17 and 18 to shoot a handy 68. He’s tied for second.
Also sitting at -4 is Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Åberg, who are both in the clubhouse. They’d be pretty happy with their efforts today. There are only a couple of groups left to finish the 18th hole.
Bryson DeChambeau, who made bogey on the 17th, holds on to par the last and finish at -3, level with Tyrrell Hatton.
There are 26 players under par, with a total of 95 in the field.
Corey Conners lines up a putt. Credit: Getty Images
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Golfers like private jets
A bit doing at the local airport at Augusta.
Although it’s not the most lucrative tournament on the circuit, last year’s Masters paid out a cool $20 million USD (about $30.6 million AUD) with $3.6 million USD ($5.5 million AUD) going to champion Scottie Scheffler.
Runner-up Ludvig Åberg earned $2.16 million USD ($3.3 million AUD) while Tiger Woods claimed $39,600 USD ($60,600 AUD) for finishing last among those who made the cut.
Fun fact: Augusta National Golf Club doesn’t announce the official purse total until the weekend of the tournament.
McIlroy fades to shoot a 72
Not ideal for McIlroy.
Two double bogeys in his last four holes (15th and 17th) sees McIlroy go from -4 to even par.
His 72 could have been so much more.
Here’s a look at McIlroy’s Masters results since 2014.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 18th tee. He made par on the final hole. Credit: Getty Images
Who won the best dressed award of the Aussies in round one?
Jason Day is known for his style on the course.
Min Woo Lee also rocked some cool shoes today.
Adam Scott looked the part as well. Have your say.
Jason Day in a white and green mood. Credit: Getty Images
Cam Smith rocking the white trousers. Credit: Getty Images
Cam Davis hits out of the sand. Credit: AP
Min Woo Lee … Credit: AP
… and the chef’s shoes #lethimcookCredit: Getty Images
Adam Scott cracks a smile despite his disappointing round. Credit: Getty Images
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DeChambeau soars up the leaderboard with three birdies in four holes
After a bogey on the 12th, Bryson DeChambeau has made three birdies in his last four holes.
He’s now -4 with a couple of holes remaining. Draws level with Scottie Scheffler and Corey Conners for a share of second place.
On the par five 15th, DeChambeau knocks his second shot up the back of the green and manages a nice two putt.
On the par three 16th, the 2020 US Open champion hits his iron shot from 170 metres out to under a metre. Easy putt. Lovely to watch.
He’s always underperformed at Augusta despite high expectations. Is this going to be his year?
Drama for McIlroy on the 15th
Oh dear.
Rory McIlroy’s bogey-free round is over as he makes seven on the par five 15th. He’s now -2.
He goes over the back for two.
Birdie chance? Incorrect. He can’t get his third shot to stop as it rolls into the water.
His fifth shot ends up on the fringe and his sixth shot (long-range putt) isn’t even close.
It’s his first double bogey on the 15th at Augusta since 2013.
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waits to hit on the 15th hole. Credit: AP
American golfer shoots worst opening Masters round in 10 years
Here’s one for the average golfers out there to make yourself feel a little better.
Spare a thought for Nick Dunlap. The American carded a disastrous opening round of +18. He’s still 11 shots behind Thriston Lawrence, who is the second worst in the field.
Dunlap is a very promising golfer. He was the 2023 US amateur champion and in January last year made history by becoming the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
It’s the worst opening round at the Masters since Ben Crenshaw’s 91 in 2005.
94 – Doug Ford (2000) 92 – Tommy Aaron (2003) 92 – Horton Smith (1962) 91 – Ben Crenshaw (2015) 91 – Horton Smith (1963) 91 – Chick Evans* (1960) 91 – Fred McLeod (1955) 90 – Nick Dunlap (2025) 90 – Chick Evans* (1959) 90 – Jock Hutchison (1956) 90 – Frank Souchak* (1954)
*denotes amateur
Nick Dunlap in the trees. It wasn’t the only time. Credit: Getty Images
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Rose bogeys the 18th, shoots 65
After 17 excellent holes, Justin Rose slips up on the last one of the day.
A dirty slice goes way right for Rose on the par four 18th hole in front of a big gallery. He has to take his medicine from the tees and chips back out onto the fairway.
He gets on the green for three and two putts for a bogey. It’s the only blemish on what was a great day otherwise.
Rose’s 65 is his equal best opening round at Augusta. He shot 65 in the 2021 tournament.
Here’s a look at his record at the Masters since 2015.
