Hovland, Rahm and Koepka in three-way lead on Day One
There is nothing like a Major golf championship to bring out the best and the worst in a golfer. This year’s first Major of the season, the Masters at Augusta National in Georgia, America, is no exception to this golden rule. In the limelight on Thursday, 6th April was Norway’s Viktor Hovland who shot an amazing round of 7-under par with just four holes to go. All around him were players who could nudge closer to the 25-year old from Oslo but it was an impressive Jon Rahm from Spain who finished level with Hovland on 7-under par, 65 after making a birdie down the final hole. A late starter with America’s Brooks Koepka also scooped a 65 to make it a three-way lead at the top.
It was an exciting start to the 87th Masters which, alas, ended in a frustrating stop-start play on Friday due to heavy storms. On Saturday, rain is forecast all day so a Sunday finish is looking highly unlikely. But let’s focus on the first 36 holes at Augusta National.
On day one, Viktor Hofland had a delightful grouping with multi-Major winner Tiger Woods and Xander Schauffele. On the grapevine there is gossip that this could be the last Masters for Tiger Woods. He always plays with the conviction that he is going to be victorious in every tournament but all too often his car injuries and problems in his personal life take their toll. Twenty-nine year old Xander Schauffele (see above) from California has had the honour of finishing second in both the Open Championship in 2018 as well as the Masters in 2019, so he stays a positive contender for this Major.
Jon Rahm started his round with an unfortunate double bogey on the first but then pulled back his form to tie with Hovland on 7-under. The Norwegian player had a bogey-free 65 which was his best ever round in a Major.
Meanwhile America’s Cameron Young produced a string of three birdies on Thursday on his way to carding a special 5-under par, 67.
Amateur golfer Sam Bennett is having his fair share of fame at Augusta National too. The 23-year old from Texas won the 2022 US Amateur Championship which gave him an invitation to compete in this year’s Masters. And what a week he is having. He is one of two players who started with a birdie and an eagle on Thursday. And that brilliant display got him into an incredible second spot halfway through Friday’s round. He is playing with the ‘big boys’ in golf and is simply loving it.
American Brooks Koepka also clinched a superb first round of 65 to create a three-way lead with Hovland and Rahm.
Storms hit Augusta National
The halfway cut is predicted at two-over par or at least it was until play was stopped twice on Friday due to heavy storms that were on-target for Augusta National. With heavy rain predicted on Saturday, with a number of players still to finish their second rounds, where the cut will finish is pretty uncertain. But what is certain is that a number of trees fell to the ground in the storms on Friday before all the public were evacuated. Luckily no-one was injured.
So what news is there of defending champion Scottie Scheffler from America and runner-up last year from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy?
Well, Scheffler is not topping the leaderboard at the moment but a stormy few days could change that. And McIlroy looks as if he’ll miss the cut at the Masters which will be a big disappointment for him after his brilliant play in 2022.
Surprisingly there was an outright leader at Augusta National on Friday. An early starter snatched the number one spot with a 5-under par 67 which brings the 32-year old from Florida, Brooks Koepka, to a staggering 36-hole tally of 12-under par.
Amateur Bennett explodes with impressive golf in Georgia
Equally fascinating is to see the young amateur Sam Bennett just exploding with impressive golf. He was 7-under after 13 holes and then birdied the 14th to get into second spot on 8-under par leaving Rahm and Hovland behind him. A long birdie putt at the 17th hole just nestled at the edge of the hole. He finished with another 68 for a super 36-hole tally of 8-under par.
The weather warnings of storms on Friday came to reality as the horn was blown twice to halt play and then to restart the game. Sadly the storm was looking too serious so play was finally halted leaving a number of players with the prospect of an early start on Saturday in order to conclude their second round and so decide their fate.
There is certainly never a dull moment in the Majors. We can’t wait to see how the players cope with the delays on Saturday. Meanwhile we must say farewell to Scottish player Sandy Lyle who won the Masters in 1988. He has to return to the Masters early this morning to make his last putt on the 18th hole. At the very respectable age of 65, I guess it is time for him to make way at Augusta National for the next generation of golfers.
Enjoy the Masters at the weekend!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Norway’s Viktor Hovland surprised the patrons at Augusta National GC in the 87th Masters. CENTRE: The crowds supporting Xander Schauffele. BELOW (minis l-r): Jon Rahm, Sam Bennett (amateur), Cameron Young and Viktor Hovland.