For 17 years, Rory McIlroy came to this major and when his game was off – as it was, often – he seemed to be in a state of constant anxiety. Well, what a difference a career grand slam makes.
A year on from his richly emotional glory, when he somehow survived the roller coaster at last to end his 11-year major void and join the immortals, McIlroy was all over the place from the tee. His driver is his favoured weapon and, over the years, a cliché emerged that, if that was not firing, then neither was McIlroy.
No longer. He hit only five out of 14 fairways and still managed to shoot a 67, his lowest first-round since the 65 in 2011 when he infamously shot the final-round 80 that was essentially the reason for all that Augusta angst in the first place.
A decade-and-a-half on, there was no McIlroy panic, but neither did he commit the cardinal Augusta error of backing away and, on five under, holds the lead with American Sam Burns.
There are two shots back to a group in third, including Patrick Reed, with last year’s runner-up, Justin Rose, the top Englishman on two under, the same mark as Scottie Scheffler, the world No 1.
Both Scheffler and Rose, who deserves this Green Jacket more than anyone in the field, played in the tougher afternoon conditions and will be primed to make big inroads on Friday morning.
Scheffler concurred. “I played really solid, a lot of really, really good stuff,” the two-time champion said. “But it got so firm late in the day. It was pretty challenging. I get to go a little bit earlier tomorrow, so get home, get some rest, and start over.”
So this is far too soon to begin speculating that McIlroy will become the first player to defend the Masters title successfully since Tiger Woods 24 years ago – and just the fourth in history. Yet, there were hugely encouraging signs, with both his game and his temperament. As the Northern Irishman, himself, recognised.
“Winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” McIlroy said. “It’s hard to say because there’s still shots out there that you feel a little bit tight with, and you just have to stand up and commit to making a good swing and not worry about really where it goes. But I think it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the Champions Locker Room and put my Green Jacket on and have a Coke Zero at the end of the day.”
Of course, there were butterflies playing a concerto in his stomach, but he was glad of them and soon rode them out. “Look, we’re playing the first major of the year,” he said. “It’s the Masters. If I felt absolutely nothing on that first tee, that’s not a good sign. So, it was nice to feel my hand shaking a bit when the tee went into the ground and struggle to put the ball on top of it.
“It means that it definitely still means something to me. But I would say that I didn’t hit the ball very well the first seven holes, and sometimes here that would lead me to get tentative and a little ‘guide-y’, and I kept swinging, just trusting that I’m going to find it eventually. So, maybe that was different.”
These were not the trickiest of conditions, but Augusta always has the propensity to claim victims. One of these was Bryson DeChambeau, one of the favourites coming in, who fired a four-over 76, leaving himself at the mercy of the stat that says in the 89 editions of this tournament nobody has ever come from more than seven shots back after the first round to prevail. His fellow LIV heavyweight Jon Rahm, another who was highly fancied, fared even worse, struggling to a 78.
DeChambeau’s mood was summed up by his short answer to why he took three swipes to extricate his ball from the sand on the 11th, on his way to a triple-bogey seven. “Bunker was softer than I anticipated,” he said.
His mood was understandably in direct contrast to that of McIlroy, who was rightly proud of himself. He began at 10.31am and did not hit a fairway until it was approaching 1pm – missing six in succession. It is not ideal but Augusta can be played that way if you stay aggressive.
He birdied the second, courtesy of a fine pitch to three feet, and the next par five, the eighth, when launching a choked-down three-wood from 269 yards to 25 feet. On the ninth, he took advantage of finally locating the cut stuff, conjuring a wedge to eight feet. He was two under, probably had no right to be, but he appeared unflustered.
From the 13th, he reeled off three birdies. He sliced his drive into the trees on the right, but chopped out and chipped to 14 feet. On this par-five last year, in that excruciating finale, he contrived to lay up and then knock his third into Rae’s Creek.
This was a different pin position and a different day – a Thursday has nothing to a Sunday – but it also felt like a different McIlroy. Stay calm, take the chances when they present themselves. He unleashed a marvellous drive down the 14th and clipped his approach to seven feet.
On the par-five 15th, he was wide again, this time on the left. Twelve months before, he had pulled off one of the great Masters shots when drawing his second around the trees to five feet (remember: he missed the putt). This was no time for heroics and he cosied his ball back onto the fairway and from there played a so-so wedge to the back of the green.
No matter, from 30 feet he rolled it down the slope and clenched his fist when it eventually dropped. He might have picked up another from nine feet on the 17th but it would be churlish to moan.
Tommy Fleetwood was four under after nine, equalling his lowest score on the outward half. The least of his ambitions at that point was to record a sub-70 for the first time in an opening Masters round.
Alas, he made five bogeys in a sloppy race to the clubhouse and rued a 71. Playing alongside the Englishman, Reed was inspired from the off, birdieing the first and eagling the second.
The 2018 Masters champion picked up a few more in his front-nine 31 and looked impervious. But Augusta giveth and it taketh away and he, too, was untidy on the back half in his 69.
Nobody needs to tell Shane Lowry about Augusta’s split personality. The Irishman three-putted from four feet on the par-three fourth for a double bogey. But on the 13th, he holed out from 99 yards with a wedge for an eagle and the smiling bear was suddenly back, complete with his own fist-pump.
That is the attitude and as this layout dries out and becomes more and more treacherous, it will be the attitude of the winner.
Just 16 players under par
Link copied to clipboard
One of them is Scheffler who ends with a two-putt for par to close on two under. Playing partner Woodland ends on one under and MacIntyre, who never got going today, walks off the green on eight over, his horror 15th doing a lot, but not all, of the damage.
Something for a few participants to ponder overnight...
Link copied to clipboard
Masters champions:
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
*18 of the last 20 were in top-10 after round 1
*79 of 89 all-time were within 5 after round 1
*78 of 89 were in top-15 after round 1
*20 straight shot par or better in round 1
Scheffler finds the bunker with his drive on 18
Link copied to clipboard
Lots have today, those famous bunkers are back in play it would seem. His approach finds the front of the green and he’ll have a monster putt for birdie, or, more likely, a toughish two putt for par to stay at two under.
Justin Rose speaks to Sky Sports - ‘Hope to build on this’
Link copied to clipboard
On his first-round 70...
“I have to look at the big picture, the course was tough today and it was a day to be patient. You are trying not to go long, and the wind was a factor there are small margins out there. Overall, good start to the tournament and hopefully I can build on that.”
On coming second twice at the Masters...
“The lessons are that I can win here...there is not really anything I have to do massively differently...you cannot force the win.”
Rahm ended on six over
Link copied to clipboard
There were no birdies on his card, which is remarkable.
Here’s what he had to say after the painful 78.
“It’s a hard golf course,” he said. “Some of the players might have been able to manage a respectable round, but when you have no feel with the swing whatsoever, it’s just not an easy one. It sucks to be in this position, to need a Herculean effort the next two days to give myself the sniff of a chance to win. It’s just frustrating.”
Rose ends on two under
Link copied to clipboard
He is unable to sink the par putt at the last, but it is still a good day’s work for the Englishman who is three off the early lead.
How to react to a nine at the 15th
Link copied to clipboard
Freddie Couples endured what MacIntyre just has, and it completely ruined his round. He was two under and he ended up six over, but he’s not bitter.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 9, 2026Fred Couples on Augusta National today: "Well, it's fun. It's very fun. It's fun at all times. It's challenging at all times. But it's getting really, really firm. ...
"Again, it's Augusta National. It's supposed to be like that. ... You fly it a little far, goes over the green.…
Rose struggling to make par at the last
Link copied to clipboard
His approach finds the bunker (as many drives have today) and his second goes well right. The following chip from 54 yards runs down the slope leaving him a 39ft putt for par...
Scheffler walks off the 16th with a three
Link copied to clipboard
He stays at two under. As I wrote earlier, anything in the red numbers is a job well done today.
Rose back to three under
Link copied to clipboard
He’s just bogeyed the 17th, so, unless he eagles the last (unlikely) there will be another record-extending first-round lead. His approach to the penultimate hole ended short of the green, his chip left him with a seven-footer which he was unable to sink.
A nine for MacIntyre at the 15th
Link copied to clipboard
And his round has unravelled completely now. Having found the water with his second he’s finds it again with his next shot. He goes over the back of the green with his next and having two putted once finally on the dancefloor he trundles off forlornly on seven over. Ho hum...
It’s fair to say he did not enjoy that. Here’s how he reacted - much the same as a tense weekend hacker, I reckon...
Rory looking good for back-to-back Green Jackets
Link copied to clipboard
Here’s Oliver Brown’s take on McIroy’s five-under 67.
Six male players in history have completed the set of all four majors. But only three – Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – have grasped back-to-back Green Jackets. On the evidence of a superlative first-round 67, McIlroy is hell-bent on becoming the fourth.
MacIntyre hasn’t enjoyed his day
Link copied to clipboard
And it’s just got worse. The Scot, on three over, finds the water at the 15th. He’s just not had it today, his iron play hasn’t been great and he was in a position where he felt he had to go for it there.
Rose stays at four under
Link copied to clipboard
His tee shot at the par-three caught the slope and left him with a long two putt. His first stroke with the flat stick leaves him with a five-footer and the Englishman makes it look a lot easier than it looked.
Sky is now showing nearly a minute of Hovland on the driving range
Link copied to clipboard
Which is more than we saw of him out on the course where he shot a three-over 75...
Sky is seemingly having more and more ad breaks
Link copied to clipboard
While someone’s trying to sell me holiday insurance here’s all of Rory’s birdies today...
Rose is back to four under
Link copied to clipboard
Thanks to birdie at the par-five 15th. His second over the water left him with a good look at eagle, but unable to sink that breaking right-left putt he has to be content with (and I am sure he’ll be more than happy with it) a birdie.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Justin Rose, -4 today, is now 33-under par in round one of the Masters in his career, best of any player all-time.
His 5 first round leads/co-leads are also a Masters record. Can add to that today.
Jacob Bridgeman leads the FedEx Cup at the moment
Link copied to clipboard
And he’s just chipped in at the 18th to finish his first day at Augusta on one under. Anyone in the red today has done well and the highly fancied American is very much in this.
Single figures to win this?
Link copied to clipboard
These dry, hot, breezy conditions are forecast to continue for the entire tournament, with Augusta’s greens already lethally fast. The Green Jackets are experts at controlling conditions so that the test never becomes unfair, but with only Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy better than three under, you wonder if single digits under par will be enough to win come Sunday night.
Rose drops back to three under
Link copied to clipboard
The bogey comes at the par-four 14th and courtesy of an approach that finds the green but rolls back to the fairway. Words that golfers like to hear as much as BA Baracus enjoys ‘fancy getting on a plane?’ He cannot get up and down and is now two off the early pace.
MacIntyre has an eagle putt at the 13th
Link copied to clipboard
But somehow manages to putt it off the green. He just missed a gully and instead of breaking right-left goes the other way. While he won’t want to watch that again, it might, in a slightly annoying schadenfreude way, please the weekend hackers, proving to them that even the best in the world can get it wrong in the same way as them.
Couples was at two under on the 15th
Link copied to clipboard
But the 1993 champion is on the 18th now on six over, ouch. The cool Californian got a nine on the 15th ( I think he twice found the water) and then doubled the 16th (again finding the water) and 17th. What was looking like a round for the ages (he is 66) has disintegrated and it’s awful to see.
A reminder...
Link copied to clipboard
...that Rose has led (either as sole leader or co-leader) five times after the first round.
- 2004: led by two, finished T22
- 2005: co-leader, finished T5
- 2008: co-leader, finished T36
- 202:1 led by 4, finished 7th
- 2025: led by 3, finished 2nd
Garcia escapes with a bogey at 15 this time
Link copied to clipboard
No octuple-bogey 13 this time, having found the water at the par-five with his second shot. He’s back to level par, but still the best LIV golfer in the first round.
Rose moves to four under
Link copied to clipboard
Huge sense of deja vu as the Englishman once again starts fast out the blocks at the Masters. He’s just birdied the par-five 13th, he laid up and his 91-yard pitch into the green left him with a three-footer which never looked like staying above ground. He’s now just one back of Burns and McIlroy.
Three pars at the 12th
Link copied to clipboard
For the Scheffler, Woodland and MacIntyre group. Scheffler stays at 2 under, as does Woodland, and the Scot, who arrived at Augusta with high hopes, remains stuck on three over.
MacIntrye isn’t having the best of days
Link copied to clipboard
Standing on the 12th tee the Scot is three over par and he looks even more grumpy after seeing his tee shot at the par three go long and left. That will leave him with a tricky up and down, one that Kitayama struggled with earlier today, when he found the water with his second there.
Garcia once made a 13 at the 15th
Link copied to clipboard
And once again the Spaniard finds the water in front of the green on the par five.
Scheffler drops back to two under
Link copied to clipboard
The world No 1 cannot sink the par putt and that’s his first blemish of the day.
The world No 1 plays it safe
Link copied to clipboard
Scheffler tries to take the water out of play by just making sure the ball ends up on the green. He’ll have a 15-footer for his par.
Scheffler blocks his approach at 11
Link copied to clipboard
He’s left himself with a devilishly hard chip over the bunker bringing in the water beyond into play. He’s still at three under but it would be no shock id he was to fall back to two under.
Rose also makes par at Golden Bell
Link copied to clipboard
He stays at three under, with the two par fives, 13 and 15, to come.
Spieth at the 12th
Link copied to clipboard
He’s two under for the round, it feels as though he’s due a win, and he’s started well today. He walks off the famous green with a par.
Rose is at the 12th
Link copied to clipboard
His tee shot finds the green - he wasn’t tempted to go for the pin, as you should never do on the famous par three. And he’ll have a 20-footer for birdie to move to four under.
Scott illustrates how this course can punish you
Link copied to clipboard
The 2013 winner hit a great drive at the par-five 15th, his approach was nearly perfect, but because it wasn’t rolled back into the water and the Australian walks off the green with a bogey. He’s back to level par.
As I was saying about Freddie...
Link copied to clipboard
The incredible Fred Couples has 58 career rounds under par at the Masters. With his 59th today he would break a tie with Tom Watson for third-most in Tournament history.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
Couples is two under
Link copied to clipboard
That’s through 13 which he birdied - his 56-yard third left him with an eight-footer and he made no mistake with the flat stick. The 66-year-old knows his way around this course better than anyone else playing this year and he’s making it count.
Scheffler is at the ninth
Link copied to clipboard
He was three under through four, but has been quiet since then. His approach to the ninth green leaves him with a 30-footer for birdie. He’s not able to sink it and he remains at three under.
Adam Scott came into this tournament in form
Link copied to clipboard
And he’s one under through 14. That’s thanks to playing Amen Corner in three under.
Rory McIlroy speaks to Sky Sports - ‘I found my game on the back nine’
Link copied to clipboard
On whether it felt different having finally won the Green Jacket...
“I thought it would feel different, but I put ball on the tee on the first and it felt the same. I had the same nerves as I usually do. It’s the first major of the year and want to start well. I am glad I felt that way.”
On not being at his best off the tee...
“Wherever I hit it on this course I feel I can work out what to do. I did that on the front nine and found my game on the back nine. I still kept swinging, kept swinging away and thought sooner or later I’d find it and from the eighth hole I felt I did.”
On having the co-lead...
“It’s a great start, there’s a long way to go. I am right in the tournament, but I cannot get ahead of myself but it’s a good start.”
Jon Rahm has had a front nine to forget
Link copied to clipboard
The 2023 champion is four over at the turn and that sums up how it’s going for the LIV golfers today. Only one LIV golfer (Sergio Garcia) is at level par or better.
Rose is three under at the turn
Link copied to clipboard
Another great start from the Englishman - if anyone is owed a Green Jacket it’s him. He birdied the par-five eighth and is once again lurking with intent.
An impressive list
Link copied to clipboard
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Most rounds of 67 or better - men's major championships since 1st Masters held in 1934:
Tiger Woods, 48
Jack Nicklaus, 42
Phil Mickelson, 42
Rory McIlroy, 41 (including today)
Rory taps in for five-under finish
Link copied to clipboard
It’s his best start to the Masters since 2011, but the important thing is that in the past this could have been a 73/74 round. His driving wasn’t great but he was able fashion a 67 thanks to some great iron play. He’s only hit five fairways all day, but he’s the co-leader and as far as statement of intents go that was pretty impressive.
Rory finds the bunker at the 18th
Link copied to clipboard
His driving hasn’t been great today - drives at 13, 15 and now the last spring to mind - it’s been his irons that have got him to five under. And again his iron play is brilliant as his approach from the sand finds the green and he’ll have a regulation (ish) 35ft two putt to end on five under.
A double bogey for Fitzpatrick at the last
Link copied to clipboard
Deeee Sham Bow’s (that’s how Butch Harmon says it...) playing partner looks as disconsolate at the American as his double at the last undoes the good work on the back nine that moved him from two over at the turn to level par on the 18th tee box. His drive found the fairway bunker, his approach ended up in the front greenside bunker, his third landed 10ft from the hole but trickled back down the slope (cruel) and he three-putted from there (his last horseshoeing out from all of half a foot...). He’ll head into the second round on two over. Not over by any means, but plenty to do tomorrow, is what a teacher would write in a report card...
A hole ahead and DeChambeau bogeys
Link copied to clipboard
He’s not looked close to his best today - that approach to the 18th summing up what has been a poor start from the LIV poster boy. His par putt was from way downtown (as they say in the US) and it never looks like dropping. He’s four over and way back in the peloton right now. To state the obvious, he needs a good round tomorrow.
Over the last 5 rounds he has played in the Masters, Bryson has lost more than 4 strokes to the field with his approach play.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
Par for Rory at the 17th
Link copied to clipboard
His birdie putt missed on the low side and he stays at five under.
Another great approach from Rory
Link copied to clipboard
It’s come at the 17th, and the defending champion finds the back shelf to leave himself with a 10-footer (ish) for another birdie.
He looked far from sharp on the front nine (still turned in two under) but this back nine has displayed some fine iron play and could move to six under and the sole leader if he sinks that putt.
‘I am hooking it, every time’
Link copied to clipboard
Those are the words of a grumpy-looking DeChambeau who looks like he’s just been told that no one watches his YouTube channel (which is far from the truth) after he pulls his approach to the last towards the crowd. He’s not been able to recover from his horror seven at the 11th and is on three over. It looks as though he’ll stay that way (at best) heading into the second round.
Fleetwood bogeys the last
Link copied to clipboard
It was looking as though it was going to be a brilliant, statement-setting round for the Englishman, who was four under at the turn. the back nine was less kind to him and he cards a one-under 71. Still a good start and plenty of time and shots to work with.
Hatton is never one to hide his feelings
Link copied to clipboard
He’s not many people’s cup of tea but even if that’s the case with you, perhaps even you would feel a smidgen sorry for him here? He’s one over through eight...
We’re not seeing much of him on Sky coverage
Link copied to clipboard
But Rose remains on two under, he’s through seven holes now.
Great up and down by Reed at the last
Link copied to clipboard
His approach left him in the front bunker and a lovely chip (he has one of the best short games around) leaves him with a six footer which he drains with ease. He finishes on three under, a fine start.
Rory is challenging this right now...
Link copied to clipboard
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Rory McIlroy is -4 through 14 holes today.
The lowest opening round by a defending Masters champion is 66, by Jose Maria Olazabal in 1995 and Jordan Spieth in 2016.
Cameron Young was strongly backed...
Link copied to clipboard
...heading into the tournament. But his race looked all but run when he was four over through seven. The American, however, has battled back well. He’s back to one over playing alongside McIlroy. Both are on the par-three 16th, the former’s tee shot flies over the pin, leaving him with half-decent chance for birdie, the latter’s tee shot looks great in the air but it’s a tad left and it catches the slope. He’ll have a long uphill putt to move to six under.
MacIntrye is back to level par
Link copied to clipboard
That’s down to a bogey at the tough par-four fifth (for my money in the top four toughest holes on the course) his approach flirted with going into the fans (sorry, patrons...) on the left of the green and he was unable to get up and down for par.
Brilliant from Rory
Link copied to clipboard
His chip at the 15th left him a downhill, breaking putt from 29ft. It’s tricky, but from the moment it left the putter it never looked like ending anywhere other than the bottom of the cup.
The defending champion, who hasn’t show is best stuff today, is now co-leader on five under. Remarkable.
Remember Rory’s brilliant approach at the 15th?
Link copied to clipboard
Well, he cannot repeat the trick today, mostly because while his drive again leaves him behind the trees jutting out on the left of the fairway. This time it’s even further left and even Uri Geller would struggle to bend the ball around onto the green. Rory chips through the trees and he’ll have another chip onto the green at the par five.
There are six golfers at three under
Link copied to clipboard
Aaron Rai, who has maintained his fine start, is one and two others are Jason Day, who birdied 16 and Ludwig Aberg who has just birdied the par-three sixth. His tee shot left him a 13-footer to move to three under and he made no mistake with the putter.
Did I say ‘ominous’?
Link copied to clipboard
This is the first time in Scottie Scheffler's Masters career he has started a round 3-under through 3.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
Patience is a virtue
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy explained this week the virtues of patience at Augusta. In his first round last year, he made two double-bogeys but resisted panicking. In his second, he was only one under for his first nine but maintained a belief that the rewards would come, with a subsequent 10-under-par run over his next 14 holes giving him a platform to win the tournament. This time he has adopting a similar approach, frequently spraying his drives deep into the pine needles but never losing confidence in his ability to conjure escapes from anywhere. He has barely made a fairway but is now on his own in second.
Rory looking like an Augusta veteran
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy has been all over the place with his driver today, but there he is high up on the leaderboard. The defending champion has looked like an Augusta veteran today (this is 18th Masters) and has employed his hard-earned knowledge of this unique test to put himself into contention. He has been relaxed, despite his waywardness off the tee. McIlroy will need to sort that out, obviously, but this has been impressive so far.
Impressive
Link copied to clipboard
Another one-word headline from me, and why not, less is more and all that and impressive perfectly describes Rory’s birdie at the 14th. He nails the 10-footer after that peach of an approach and it’s back-to-back birdies for the defending champion, who is, now, slowly moving up the gears.
He’s now at four under one off the lead of Sam Burns.
One word for it...
Link copied to clipboard
...ominous.
That’s the word I am unoriginally using to describe Scheffler’s start. The world No 1 has just birdied the third to move to three under. He wasn’t really spoken about as a possible winner coming into this week (well, as much as a world No 1 can be ‘ignored’) but he’s had a great start to his tournament.
Here’s his eagle putt earlier...
Lovely approach from Rory
Link copied to clipboard
It’s come at the 14th, he had 114 yards to the pin, hits it 117 yards before spinning it back pin high. He’ll have a 10 footer (ish) for birdie.
Reed bogeys the 15th
Link copied to clipboard
After finding the water behind the green (to the left of the 16th tee box) to move back to three under. He then plays a peach of a tee shot at the par three 16th and will have a good look at birdie to return to four under.
Rory moves to three under
Link copied to clipboard
His chip at the 13th is a zillion times better than the shank in the final round last year. It leaves him with a 15 footer for birdie and he drains the right-left putt.
He hasn’t got out of third gear (if that) and is two off Sam Burns’s lead.
Can a two-time winner and world No 1 come into a tournament under the radar?
Link copied to clipboard
Well, if he can then it’s Scottie Scheffler who hasn’t had, by his high standards, the best start to the year. But he’s reminded us all that he still very much is a possible winner (he is world No 1 duh...) with an eagle at the par-five second. His approach left him with a 15-footer and he made no mistake with the flat-stick. Two under through two, tasty...
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Eagle at 2 for Scottie Scheffler.
In his two Masters wins, he played the par 5s in a combined 17-under-par.
Rose is two under through three
Link copied to clipboard
He loves this course more than Aberg and anyone who wouldn’t like to see him win on Sunday has no soul. He’s birdied the second and the third and it’s almost the perfect start for the Englishman.
Rory finds the trees on 13
Link copied to clipboard
For his second he lays up, and it’s not the easiest of lay ups, there’s a small avenue between the pines, but he finds it no problem...he’ll now have a chip to get on the green in three. Remember his last chip on this hole? One of the worst shots he’ll ever make, thank goodness it didn’t, ultimately, affect the result.
Reed finds the water at 15
Link copied to clipboard
But not the water in front of the green, rather the drink behind the dance floor on 16. He had 260 to the pin, went for it, flew the green and the ball trundled into the water. Not sure where he drops that...
Aberg is two under through four
Link copied to clipboard
Thanks to a birdie at the par-three fourth. He likes this place and is continuing his love affair with Augusta National today.
Who doesn’t love Fred Couples?
Link copied to clipboard
He has a swing smoother and with more rhythm than a 1920s blues singer, and is a decent, humble guy to boot (how many golfers can you write that about?) Well, the 1992 winner is doing his bit for 60somethings he’s two under through six.
Oh Tommy, Tommy
Link copied to clipboard
Fleetwood birdies the 14th to move back to three under.
Meanwhile, two holes back Rory completes the tricky up and down at the 12th to stay at two under.
Rory winces at his tee shot at the 12th
Link copied to clipboard
It’s the sort of sound familiar to many a weekend hacker (always good to see the best in the world let out the same despairing noises as us mere mortals...). His ball looks as though it kicks into the flowerbed behind the green, but fear not, it stays on the green stuff, leaving him with a nasty little chip and up and down.
DeChambeau not in seventh heaven
Link copied to clipboard
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Bryson DeChambeau made a 7 on the 11th hole, his 7th score of 7 or higher at the Masters.
It's the most of any player since he made his debut in 2016.
Lowry eagles 13!
Link copied to clipboard
And not in the conventional way, no, the affable Irishman lays up and then drains his third into the hole to move him to three under.
Rory has 179 yards to the pin at 11
Link copied to clipboard
He shouts ‘GO, GO’ at the ball, clearly worried it’s heading into the drink, but he need not have worried as it has the legs and he’ll have at 25 footer, or thereabouts, for birdie to move to three under.
An Englishman on the (early) charge
Link copied to clipboard
Aaron Rai is three under through four, having birdied the first, second and fourth. Delightful.
DeChambeau in trouble
Link copied to clipboard
The part golfer, part YouTube content creator (isn’t everyone these days?) walks off the 11th with a triple bogey seven. His drive left him with 191 to the pin but from there the American contrived to hit into the greenside bunker and taking three shots to get out of the trap (see below for James’s analysis). He’s now at three over. Ouch.
No excuse for Bryson DeChambeau taking three to get out of that bunker on the 11th, but in mitigation it is a horrible trap with that pin placement. You would only need to catch the ball slightly thin to see it roll into the lake and that was clearly DeChambeau’s concern.
Fleetwood back to two under
Link copied to clipboard
His tee shot at the 12th was long, his chip left him a four-footer and his putt missed on the low side. He looks annoyed with himself, but as frustrated as he might feel right now anything finishing near par will be a fine score today.
The wind is picking up
Link copied to clipboard
The fairways and greens are fast and it’s fair to say conditions are on the tricky side.
Justin Rose
Link copied to clipboard
Is off and his opening drive is pulled into the left trees, his approach could be blocked. Also under way in the same threeball is Jordan Spieth whose drive finds the fairway bunker on the left.
Nick Faldo is on Sky
Link copied to clipboard
And doing what he does best, and I suspect loves the most, talking about himself. To be fair, if you had three Green Jackets you might drone on as well...
Sam Burns is co-leader
Link copied to clipboard
That’s thanks to a birdie at the par-five 13th, he laid up leaving him 54 yards to the pin and the American got up and down for the four. He’s now level with Reed at four under.
Sam Burns' lowest career Masters round is a 68 in round 1 back in 2023. It's the only time he's broken 70 here in his career. Now tied for the lead.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
About 15 minutes ago I wrote...
Link copied to clipboard
Rory hasn’t looked sharp today, since then he’s birdied the eighth and ninth, the latter thanks to a peach of an approach that left him a four-footer which never even flirted with the idea of staying above ground. He turns on two under and, seemingly, going up the gears.
2023 champion
Link copied to clipboard
Jon Rahm’s first drive bisects the fairway. He’s playing alongside highly fancied Chris Gotterup, the American finds the first cut on the left. And alongside that pair, is Ludwig Aberg (a second and seventh in his first two Masters...interesting...) and the talented Swede finds the short stuff.
Fleetwood also bogeyed the 10th
Link copied to clipboard
But his approach at the devilishly tough 11th is good. He’ll have an uphill putt of about 25ft for birdie, which is definitely one up against the field.
Reed bogeys the 10th
Link copied to clipboard
His approach went long, over the green and his delicate chip was played too delicately, leaving him an 18 footer for par. He leaves the downhill putt short and the 2018 champion is back to four under.
It’s great Butch Harmon is back on Sky commentary
Link copied to clipboard
The likeable American has a particular way of pronouncing DeChambeau - along the lines of Deeeeee Sham Bow, while really emphasising the B of the Bow... - and I am here for it.
Ominous
Link copied to clipboard
Patrick Reed: 5-under ties his best first nine score at The Masters (2018, Rd 2, won Tournament)
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026
Rory hasn’t looked sharp today
Link copied to clipboard
And as if to sum it up, as I type that he’s left his eagle putt at the eighth short...don’t worry, though, he drains the birdie putt to move back into under-par territory.
Great start from Fleetwood
Link copied to clipboard
That was a quality front nine of 32 by Tommy Fleetwood. He has never broken 70 in the first round here, but at four-under, the very least of his ambition will be to figure in the 60s at day’s end. The Englishman’s previous lowest outward half in the opening round here was 33 two years ago. He went on to finish in a tie for third, the nearest he has come to a Green Jacket.
Fitzpatrick hasn’t been his usual steady self
Link copied to clipboard
His front nine has been a bit all over the place. He’s just bogeyed the ninth - his approach left him off the green long and right and he was unable to get up and down - and he’s two over through the turn.
Playing partners DeChambeau and Schauffele both par to be level and one under respectively.
Rory drills in a wood to within about 20ft at the eighth
Link copied to clipboard
He’ll have that for an eagle to move to two under.
Rory is on the eighth
Link copied to clipboard
The second par five of the front nine and here’s lovely stat for the defending champion and his army of fans to lap up...
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 9, 2026Birdie at 2 for Rory McIlroy.
He is now 105-under-par on the par 5s in his Masters career. Since his debut in 2009, only Phil Mickelson (-108) and Bubba Watson (-106) have a better cumulative score to par.
Golden Bell rings for another victim
Link copied to clipboard
Kitayama was leading after the 10th on four under but having bogeyed the 11th he’s chipped in from the back of the green on the famous par-three 12th. Ouch. He walks off the green with a double-bogey five and he’s back to one under.
Salvaging a par
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy went way right off the tee but it is a great second shot, which just rolls off the green. The chip back onto the green it top notch and the defending champion has a simple, short putt to save his par. He remains at even par.
Cam Young makes bogey and he has dropped back to four over. Not the first seven holes the American was after.
That is all from me but I will hand you over into the very capable hands of Greg Wilcox, who will take you through the rest of this first round. Enjoy!
Patrick Reed moves to -5
Link copied to clipboard
Kurt Kitayama’s reign at the top of the leaderboard did not last too long as an eagle for Patrick Reed at the par-five eighth has taken the American to five under. It is a stunning, long putt from Reed to secure that eagle. He takes the lead by one but that then increases to two as Kitayama has made bogey at 11.
Further down the eighth, Xander Schauffele’s tee shot has ended up in a patron’s bag!
Wayward tee shot
Link copied to clipboard
Big shouts of “Fore Right!” as Rory McIlroy tees off on seven. That has gone a long way right but it may be so far right that it might start to open up again.
Meanwhile up ahead we have a new leader...
No birdie at six
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy cannot move to one under as his birdie putt comes up just short so he will have to settle for a par.
One man rising up the leaderboard is the American Brian Campbell, who has made three straight birdies to start his round and he is just one off the lead.
Up at the sixth
Link copied to clipboard
McIlroy attacks the pin at the par-three sixth and most of the way it looks like a great shot with the hole positioned near the back of the green but it just rolls off the back.
Meanwhile Jose Maria Olazabal’s run at two under has finally come to an end after a bogey at 14.
Staying at evens
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy walks off the fifth with a par, which he will take after an errant tee shot, and he remains at even par.
Cameron Young’s par putt slides by the hole and The Players champion drops back to two over.
New outright leader
Link copied to clipboard
The first man to hit four under today is Kurt Kitayama, who has made it back-to-back birdies at nine and ten to take the outright lead, one shot clear of Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood.
High-quality shot
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy is up on the par-four fifth and, despite missing the fairway to the left, his second shot is incredible. It is a low scuttler that hooks around the tree and ends up on the green to give him an outside chance of a birdie.
Spanish hands
Link copied to clipboard
Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal is still two under and has hit Amen Corner. At the iconic par-three 12th, he plays a lovely chip with delicate hands to save his par to remain at -2.
Fortunate
Link copied to clipboard
Bryson DeChambeau’s tee shot at the par-three sixth is not good, with shouts of “Fore Left!” coming from the tee box. Luckily for DeChambeau, it hits a patron, which means it only ends up just off the green rather than even further left of the green. Let’s hope that patron who was hit on the leg is ok.
Meanwhile back on the fourth, Rory McIlroy has to settle for a par. It has been a tough hole though for the amateur Mason Howell playing alongside the defending champion. Howell finds the green with his tee shot but then four-putts to walk away with a double bogey to drop to two over.
New joint leader
Link copied to clipboard
Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Reed have been joined on three under by Kurt Kitayama, who has birdied the ninth after a lovely approach.
Bogey for Rory
Link copied to clipboard
The defending champion’s loose chip at the third is punished. His first putt is such a tricky one, knowing if he hits it too hard it will run a way past the hole, and it comes up a way short. McIlroy’s par putt looks like it is going to go in but somehow stays up. Potentially as much as half the ball is hanging over the edge of the hole but it does not drop. McIlroy waits the 10 seconds allowed to see if it will go but it stays above ground so he has to settle for a bogey to drop back to even par.
Big save
Link copied to clipboard
After misjudging his birdie putt on the fifth green, Patrick Reed has a tricky putt to save his par but he drains it and remains in a share of the lead on three under.
Back at the third, McIlroy has misjudged his chip onto the green and sent it way too long. This will be a tricky two-putt to save par.
Missed opportunity
Link copied to clipboard
Bryson DeChambeau played a lovely tee shot at the par-three fourth to give him a good birdie chance but the putt slides past the right edge of the hole. Xander Schauffele bogeys the hole to drop from one under to even par.
First birdie for defending champion
Link copied to clipboard
After a par on the first, Rory McIlroy rolls in his birdie putt on the second to move to one under.
Ollie’s good round continues
Link copied to clipboard
The two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal was two under through three holes and he has remained at -2 through 10 holes, just one off the leaders.
Stunner
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy missed the fairway at two off the tee and then his second went quite far left to leave him a challenging shot onto the green at the par five. The defending champion’s chip is sublime, using the undulations of the green to great effect to leave him just a few feet for birdie.
Back-to-back-to-back and into a share of the lead
Link copied to clipboard
Tommy Fleetwood is on fire at the start of his opening round. After birdies on two and three, he makes another birdie on four, where moments before Shane Lowry made a double bogey. Fleetwood goes onto three under and a share of the lead with Patrick Reed.
Disappointment at the third
Link copied to clipboard
Matt Fitzpatrick escaped on the first after an errant tee shot but this time his inaccuracy is punished as he bogeys the third. It is not a long par four but the undulations, especially on the green, have proved a challenge to both Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele, whose drive was not too far shy of the green yet he walks away with a par to stay at one under.
Bryson DeChambeau has bounced back from the bogey on two with a birdie on three.
Fleetwood birdies again
Link copied to clipboard
A fine start for the Englishman, who backs up his birdie on two with another birdie at the third. It was a long, long birdie putt after misjudging his chip but he sinks that putt to move to two under.
Comical
Link copied to clipboard
After both Rory McIlroy and Mason Howell send their tee shots on the second to the right of the fairway, Cameron Young has to wait to make his tee shot as a buggy unexpectedly drives across in front of him just before he was about to send his tee shot away. Young then finds a bunker with his tee shot.
Up ahead on the par-three fourth Shane Lowry has had a shocker. His tee shot was not too bad, just going off the back, but he has a mare from there as he somehow double bogeys the hole to drop from two under to even par.
Morikawa has started
Link copied to clipboard
The American was a doubt coming into this one due to a back injury but he has got under way. However, he is in trouble at the second in a very similar way to Bryson DeChambeau.
Rory starts with a par
Link copied to clipboard
McIlroy’s second shot into the opening green was a tough one and came up just short. His chip onto the green is solid but there is still work to do to walk off with an opening par. It is a tricky putt but McIlroy drains it. World No3 Cameron Young, playing alongside McIlroy, starts with a par. The amateur Mason Howell, who went way left off the tee, managed to save his par!
Up ahead on the second, Bryson DeChambeau has a long putt to save his par but cannot sink the putt so will drop a shot. He will be disappointed to drop a shot on a par five.
Birdie for Fleetwood
Link copied to clipboard
The world No4 could not find the green in two at the par-five second but a great chip gives him a birdie chance, which he takes to move to one under, two shots off leader Patrick Reed.
New leader
Link copied to clipboard
For a while Jose Maria Olazabal held either a solo or share of the lead but we now have a new leader in the form of Patrick Reed. After a birdie on the first, Reed makes birdie on the par-five second to move to three under and the outright lead.
Further back on the same hole, Bryson DeChambeau is in trouble off the tee, going way left and having to take a penalty drop. He does then find the fairway.
Here comes Rory
Link copied to clipboard
Plenty of people in attendance at Augusta National today and millions watching around the world have been waiting for this moment as the defending champion Rory McIlroy has made his way from the practice putting green to the first tee. There are so many patrons around the first tee box, 20 to 30 deep. For so many years, McIlroy went to this tee hoping to complete the career Grand Slam but this time walks onto the tee with that achievement in the bag. The patrons fall silent as McIlroy stands over the tee but his opening shot of his defence leaks out to the left, in a similar position to where Matt Fitzpatrick was a bit earlier. I cannot tell you just how silent the patrons were as McIlroy took his opening tee shot.
Cameron Young, The Players champion, drills his down the middle of the fairway before the amateur Mason Howell steps up. His hat comes off after striking the ball and it ends up much further left than McIlroy’s. At least the amateur has a smile on his face!
Birdie birdie start
Link copied to clipboard
Shane Lowry could not really have hoped for a better start to his 2026 Masters. A birdie on the first is followed up by a birdie on the second to move into a share of the lead on two under alongside Jose Maria Olazabal and Sam Burns.
Stunning save
Link copied to clipboard
Matt Fitzpatrick went left off the tee and gave himself a tough second shot, which ended up in the rough a bit short of the green. However, the Englishman’s chip onto the green is sublime, giving himself a par putt from a few feet away, which he takes. Talk about a big early save!
Schauffele fails to take his birdie chance but can DeChambeau take his? No he cannot as it slides just by the left edge. Pars all around.
Par start for Fleetwood
Link copied to clipboard
A solid if not unspectacular start for the Englishman, whose birdie put narrowly rolls past the left edge of the hole and he has to settle for a par. Playing alongside him, Patrick Reed makes no mistake with his birdie effort. Reed has already won twice on the DP World Tour this season at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters.
Bryson under way
Link copied to clipboard
One of the best groups of the day is just getting started; Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.
DeChambeau launches his opening tee shot down the first hole and finds the fairway. Fitzpatrick’s effort though leaks out to the left and it will not be the easiest of second shots for the Englishman. Schauffele easily finds the centre of the fairway and are just 20 minutes away from the defending champion Rory McIlroy getting started. McIlroy has just been speaking about exchanging a few wrds with Jack Nicklaus on the range.
Bouncing back
Link copied to clipboard
I told you that Max Homa had started with six straight pars to start his first round but that has changed. At the par-four seventh, he drops his first shot with a bogey before responding with an eagle at the par-five eighth. His second shot at eight is sublime, walking forward as the ball was in the air knowing it was a good shot. It rolls up the green and leaves him just 5ft for eagle, which he gladly takes to move from one over to one under in a flash.
Lowry makes positive start
Link copied to clipboard
The Irishman has got off his opening round up and running with a birdie on the first. That birdie is set up by a stunning second set into the first green, which leaves him just a few feet for the birdie. He is one of just five men under par.
We now have a new joint leader as Sam Burns has joined Jose Maria Olazabal on two under thanks to an eagle at the par-five second. Burns’ drive found the fairway and his sublime approach left him 11ft for eagle, which he took.
Tommy Fleetwood gets going
Link copied to clipboard
The world no 4 is playing his first two rounds alongside Akshay Bhatia and Patrick Reed. Fleetwood got a hole-in-one during the Par 3 Contest yesterday and arguably his son Frankie stole the show!
The next group will be Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele, with Rory McIlroy just over half an hour away from getting his defence under way.
Hectic at the shop
Link copied to clipboard
Any chance of you bringing me anything back James?
As they wait for the marquee groups to tee off, the patrons here are taking the chance to visit the merchandise shop - but they are doing so all at once. The queue just to get into the shop to the left of the first fairway is over 45 minutes at the moment.
Big hitters heading out
Link copied to clipboard
We have a pretty good trio just kicking off their first rounds as Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Shane Lowry are on the first tee. There are plenty of big names set for the first tee very soon:
14:55 Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed
15:07 Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele
15:19 Russell Henley, Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa
15:31 Mason Howell (a), Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young
15:43 Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Alexander Noren
Jarvis into the red
Link copied to clipboard
South African Casey Jarvis has made a birdie on the par-four third to move to one under. The 22-year-old, who is making his Masters debut, has already won twice on the DP World Tour this year in back-to-back weeks at the Kenya Open and the South African Open Championship. He is one shot off leader Jose Maria Olazabal.
Boring but solid start
Link copied to clipboard
Any amateur would take par after par but perhaps not always the professionals. Max Homa, who went off in the second group, has made six straight pars but is only two shots off the lead. Only four men are under par right now.
Ollie still at the top
Link copied to clipboard
The 1994 and 1999 Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal holds the solo lead out on two under through his first five holes, one shot clear of amateur Jackson Herrington, Max Greyserman and Kurt Kitayama.
More men into the red
Link copied to clipboard
We now have four men under par; Jose Maria Olazabal, Angel Cabrera, Max Greyserman and amateur Jackson Herrington.
However, that does not last long as Cabrera has made a bogey at the par-three fourth to drop back to even par.
Rory on the range
Link copied to clipboard
The defending champion has made his way onto the range to go through some warm-ups before he tees off alongside The Players Championship winner Cameron Young and amateur Mason Howell is just over 70 minutes’ time.
Going from bad to worse
Link copied to clipboard
Whilst Jose Maria Olazabal has made a great start to his opening round, the same cannot be said for Mexican Carlos Ortiz. Across his first five holes, Ortiz has gone bogey, double bogey, bogey, bogey, double bogey. He is already seven over through five holes and that is not the start he was hoping for earlier this morning.
Blockbuster groups to come
Link copied to clipboard
Plenty of big names will be heading out onto the course over the next 90 minutes, including the defending champions Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood:
14:43 Jason Day (Aus), Dustin Johnson, Shane Lowry (Irl)
14:55 Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Patrick Reed
15:07 Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng), Xander Schauffele
15:19 Russell Henley, Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Collin Morikawa
15:31 (a) Mason Howell, Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Cameron Young
15:43 Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland (Nor), Alexander Noren (Swe)
Ollie’s great start continues
Link copied to clipboard
Jose Maria Olazabal has made back-to-back birdies at two and three to move to two under and the solo lead at the top of the leaderboard. That birdie comes courtesy of a stunning put from just off the green, that swung a long way from right to left.
Former champions having a storming start
Link copied to clipboard
It is not only Jose Maria Olazabal who has birdied the second moved into the red. 2009 champion Angel Cabrera joins his fellow former champion at one under.
Olazabal into the lead
Link copied to clipboard
The 1994 and 1999 Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal has gone to the top of the leaderboard courtesy of a birdie at the par-five second, that despite being in a little bit of trouble off the tee. The Spaniard missed the fairway to the right and found himself in the trees, only to fight back to make a birdie. He is now the only man in the red as Naoyuki Kataoka had a shocker at the par-four third. Kataoka had been one under heading to the third but his chipping around the green massively lets him down, ending up with a double bogey to drop from one under to one over.
First birdie of the day!
Link copied to clipboard
Finally, nearly an hour into the opening round of the 2026 Masters, we have a birdie and a player into the red. It has come from Japan’s Naoyuki Kataoka, who has birdied the par-five second.
Up ahead, China’s Haotong Li has made four straight pars to start his round.
Man on the ground
Link copied to clipboard
Driving in this morning, I was struck by the scarcity of ticket touts. Augusta National has launched a strict clampdown on reselling these last few years and fans - sorry, ‘patrons’ - now realise that if they do purchase a pass online or on the streets there is a realistic prospect of being thrown out. The Green Jackets like to be 100 percent in control.
Will he or won’t he?
Link copied to clipboard
American Collin Morikawa is due out at at 3.19pm UK time alongside Russell Henley and Hideki Matsuyama but will he actually start and even if he does, how long will he last? Morikawa had to pull out of The Players very early on after injuring his back during a practice swing and has not played since. He said earlier in the week that he was taking it day-by-day but has been limited with his shots during practice rounds and on the range. As it stands, he is set to start.
Selected round one tee times (UK time)
Link copied to clipboard
1455 Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Akshay Bhatia
1507 Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele
1531 Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Mason Howell
1808 Jon Rahm, Chris Gotterup, Ludvig Aberg
1820 Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka
1844 Scottie Scheffler, Robert MacIntyre, Gary Woodland
Top 10 in world rankings
Link copied to clipboard
Scottie Scheffler still leads the way ahead of defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy. The winner of The Players Championship, Cameron Young, is third with three Englishmen into the top ten in the shape of Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose. There are five Europeans in there:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Rory McIlroy
- Cameron Young
- Tommy Fleetwood
- JJ Spaun
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Collin Morikawa
- Robert MacIntyre
- Justin Rose
- Xander Schauffele
Former champions
Link copied to clipboard
A number of Masters winners are heading out in the coming groups, which includes 1994 and 1999 winner Jose Maria Olazabal, 2009 champion Angel Cabrera and 2011 winner Charl Schwartzel.
Olazabal is just getting his first round going, on the day Seve Ballesteros would have turned 69. There is no doubt Seve will be on Jose Maria’s mind today.
Second group heading out
Link copied to clipboard
American Max Homa, whose best finish at the Masters came two years ago when he finished in a tie for third in 2024, is out in group two today alongside Naoyuki Kataoka of Japan and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz.
Up ahead we have the first bogey of the day as Johnny Keefer has dropped a shot at the first, despite finding the fairway off the tee. A costly three-put for Keefer. Haotong Li made a par.
Better to get out early?
Link copied to clipboard
Chilly start here, but it will be interesting to see how the early starters fare. The afternoon brigade may be at a disadvantage, with the sun due to blaze and the course firming up. The conditions are likely to be the driest for more than a decade, meaning that we could get a fast and firm test that would make this so tricky for the golfers.
Some of the players on Tiger Woods’ absence
Link copied to clipboard
Unless you have been living under a rock in recent weeks, you will know that Tiger is not at Augusta National this week after he rolled his car the other week. Here is a sample of what some of the players said about Tiger:
Bubba Watson:
“I told him when we started hanging out in 2006, 2007 that I’m pulling for him as a human being, forget his golf. I could care less about his golf. I feel for him because I’ve been through a lot of mental stuff. I always pull for him. I have nothing but love for him. Hopefully he can come back stronger.”
Jason Day:
“It just shows the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction. He’s not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well. He’s had 25 to 30 surgeries or something and when you’re going through that many procedures, it’s painful coming out of those. I’ve had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that, with painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it. He’s my hero. He was my hero growing up. The reason why I play golf is because of The Masters tournament and Tiger. It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through.”
Patrick Reed:
“I think everyone is in the same boat - very grateful that he is okay and everyone else is okay. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery and gets back to golf as fast as he can. Without Tiger and Phil Mickelson in the events, it hurts the game of golf. At the same time, we want them back healthy and ready to go.”
Off we go
Link copied to clipboard
After the ceremonial tee off, the first official group is on the first tee, ready to get the first round off and running. America’s Johnny Keefer and China’s Haotong Li are the two men in the first group, teeing off at 12.40pm UK time, 7.40am local time.
Both men find the fairway, with Li getting the edge distance wise.
Rory McIlroy’s chosen menu
Link copied to clipboard
The defending champion hosted the champions’ dinner on Tuesday night and here is what the Masters champions enjoyed:
Honorary Starters
Link copied to clipboard
Three giants of the game, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, have all made their way to the first tee for the ceremonial tee-off. The crowds are already huge around the first tie, at just before 7.30am local time. It is a beautiful early morning at Augusta National.
Just the 11 Green Jackets between these three fine gentlemen. Player, the first international winner of the Masters and thee-time champion at Augusta National, is the first to tee off. The 90-year-old, who shares a birthday with my mother, is still in fine shape and celebrates his shot with his customary karate kick
Six-time champion Nicklaus is next to tee off. He tells the crowd to “watch out!” and then drags his effort a little left! We can forgive you for that Jack!
The final man to tee off in the group is Watson, who won this tournament twice. Still a lovely swing from one of the nicest men in golf.
Could it be DeChambeau’s year?
Link copied to clipboard
Bryson DeChambeau, who finished in a tie for fifth last year, has been pretty outspoken on his views on the Augusta National course, which includes declaring it a “Par 67” course a few years back. Here are his finishes at the Masters, which have been pretty mixed to say the least:
DeChambeau has been asked about his rivalry with Rory McIlroy, whom he played with in the final group last year:
“It is great if we can continue to have a rivalry. I do not see any problem with that. If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf. Do I respect him as an individual? 100 per cent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely, there is no question about it.
“I think that is what is so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him. It is one of those things - like I got him at Pinehurst [No 2, 2024 US Open], he got me here [2025 Masters]. I hope there are more of those to come because it is great for the game.”
Bryson has also been at the heart of YouTube content, including having President Trump on his channel.
How the final leaderboard looked last year
Link copied to clipboard
Rory McIlroy obviously took the Green Jacket a year ago after beating Justin Rose in a play-off. 2022 and 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler finished fourth on four under.
Winner: Rory McIlroy (-11)
-11: Justin Rose
-9: Patrick Reed
-8: Scottie Scheffler
-7: Sungjae Im, Bryson DeChambeau
-6: Ludvig Aberg
-5: Zach Johnson, Corey Conners, Jason Day, Xander Schauffele
Rory McIlroy on returning to Augusta National as defending champion
Link copied to clipboard
“It feels totally incredible. I cannot believe it was 12 months ago that I was sitting here and trying to take it all in. To be able to come back and do this press conference in a Green Jacket, that feels pretty good. It has been an amazing 12 months. I keep saying it, it is a dream come true.
“I have really tried to embrace and enjoy every part of it. And I have got one more thing to try and embrace and enjoy tonight [Tuesday night], at the Champions Dinner, and then I will be able to turn my full attention to getting ready for the golf tournament.”
Prediction time
Link copied to clipboard
Our experts have been having their say ahead of the start of the opening round at Augusta National. Here is just a sample of what some of our experts have been predicting:
Who will win?
James Corrigan: Bryson DeChambeau
He has finished fifth and sixth in the past two Masters and is getting to grips with the subtleties of this layout. The American is in form, having won back-to-back on LIV, and now that his daft “Par is 67 for me around here” comment is behind him, he can pick up his third major.
Oliver Brown: Rory McIlroy
Heart ruling head? Quite possibly. But there is an argument that, having hauled himself over the line in such gloriously theatrical style 12 months ago, McIlroy can simply relax and let it happen. In this mode, there is nobody to touch him here at Augusta. Watching him start his third round last year with six straight threes was truly a privilege.
Tom Cary: Justin Rose
Heart over head perhaps but I genuinely believe Rose can do it. He loves Augusta National – with three runner-up finishes and seven top 10s in his 20 Masters to date. And at 45, he is still playing great golf. Still top 10 in the world. Still looking after himself. What a story it would be after last year’s heartbreak.
Frankie Christou: Bryson DeChambeau
I agree with James. The Masters has a habit of crowning polarising champions and we are due one. DeChambeau arrives after back-to-back wins on LIV and the confidence of being in the final pair last year. If the pattern holds, he fits the bill for the ultimate Marmite Masters champion.
Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
Bad omen for Rai?
Link copied to clipboard
No-one has ever won the Par Three contest and then the Masters tournament in the same week so has Aaron’s Rai victory yesterday denied him a chance at claiming the Green Jacket on Sunday? The man from Wolverhampton claimed a one-shot victory and will be hoping to buck the trend this week.
There were a number of standout moments from yesterday’s Par Three contest, which included four hole-in-ones:
Faldo on Rory defending his title
Link copied to clipboard
Sir Nick is one of just three men to go back-to-back at the Masters, so you would think he is pretty well-placed to comment on how challenging it is to achieve that feat:
“None of these great players who have won another major again after a number of years – be it Jack [in 1986, after six years], Tiger [in 2019, after 14 years] or Ben Crenshaw [in 1995 after 11 years], has then continued on, in like a second career [of winning majors]. But Rory is younger and with his fitness it is possible.
“He gave us a lot last year, didn’t he? It was so hugely emotional – it was kind of in the air. He’d won the Players [Championship, the month before], and you started thinking, ‘this is his best chance to do it’. And he did, and gave us great theatre. But you can’t flip the light switch and just reproduce all that emotion again. I don’t believe that happens.
“I was pleased and intrigued when he said, ‘I’d like to be a two-time career grand slam champion. It means he’s got goals. So yeah, it’ll be a case of ‘let’s start again’. Let’s get out and then get in the mix and show the same mental strength as last year.”
Selected round one tee times (UK time)
Link copied to clipboard
1455 Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Akshay Bhatia
1507 Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele
1531 Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Mason Howell
1808 Jon Rahm, Chris Gotterup, Ludvig Aberg
1820 Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka
1844 Scottie Scheffler, Robert MacIntyre, Gary Woodland
Could McIlroy go back-to-back?
Link copied to clipboard
Magnolia Lane, Rae’s Creek, Hogan’s Bridge, Amen Corner, The Green Jacket. You know what time it is people. It’s Masters time and the first major of the year. Who can forget what happened 12 months ago as Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam, ending his long wait for the Green Jacket after beating Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in a play-off. McIlroy ended his 11-year wait to complete the Grand Slam, becoming just the sixth man in history to do so after Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen, as he put so many near misses and heartbreaks behind him.
McIlroy goes into this week not only looking to win consecutive Green Jackets but also aiming to win his sixth major, which would put him level with Sir Nick Faldo. McIlroy is yet to win on the PGA Tour so far this season and did suffer a back injury earlier in the season but is fully recovered now. He has not played since The Players Championship last month, where he finished in a tie for 46th.
What of the world number one Scottie Scheffler? He, like McIlroy, has not played since The Players, where he finished in a tie for 22nd. The 2022 and 2024 Masters champion has one win to his name on the PGA Tour so far this season at the American Express but has shown some uncharacteristic visible frustrations at times this season.
It was yet more pain at Augusta National for Rose, who has now lost two play-offs at the Masters having also lost in a play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2017. Rose does come into this year’s Masters in good form, with a win already on the PGA Tour and currently sits in the top ten of the world rankings. Rose is one of three Englishmen in the top ten, along with 2025 FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, who won at the Valspar Championship just a few weeks ago.
The last man to win back-to-back Green Jackets was Tiger Woods, who has dominated the build-up to this year’s Masters after his car crash. The 15-times major champion was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after rolling his car in Florida a couple of weeks ago and has announced that he is stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on his health. Woods, who has not competed at a major since The Open in 2024, did recently return at the TGL indoor golf league just a few weeks ago but will not be at Augusta National this week.
Another former Masters champion who will not be at August this week will be Phil Mickelson, who has stepped away from golf for an extended period because of a family health matter. He has only missed the tournament on three other occasions since making his debut at Augusta National in 1991.
Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson will kick off this year’s Masters with the honorary opening tee shots at around 12.25pm BST.