Augusta National thrills the crowds
It was an absolute delight to tune-in to the Masters at Augusta National in America and see that England’s Justin Rose had snatched the lead when he opened the first Major of the season in Georgia with three birdies. A few holes later the 44-year old US Open Champion of 2013 and 2016 Olympic Gold Medallist, still had a share of the lead with Canada’s Corey Conners and fellow-Brit Tyrrell Hatton on 4-under par. This was looking a very positive start for the Englishmen certainly when you take into account that four Americans, rather unexpectedly, won all four Majors last year.
In his 20th Masters appearance, Justin Rose, who finished as runner-up in The Open at Royal Troon last year, was playing as solid as a rock. After opening with three birdies, he went on to birdie the 8th, 9th and 10th which he followed with two more birdies at the 15th and 16th. He went out in 31 for a delightful 5-under par. Indeed, after 16 holes he had created a good buffer for himself on 8-under par. Rose was an impressive four shots ahead of defending champion Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Corey Conners who was already safely in the clubhouse after a round of 68.
So what did happen to Justin Rose over the last few holes?
Justin Rose hit a wayward drive at the 17th hole into the trees on the right, but the experienced player simply kept his cool and made a solid par. However, the 18th hole was different. Again he hit a dodgy drive which zoomed-off to the right into the trees. Could he be lucky again? Well, he took his medicine and chipped out onto the fairway. All he had to do now was land his ball safely on the green from around 176 yards and hole the putt for par. He made a good connection with the ball but left himself with a tricky putt of a few yards. Agonisingly the ball just slipped past the hole which gave him a bogey down the last and so a score of 65 (7-under par). It was a big disappointment for the Englishmen, but nevertheless, he is still three shots ahead of the chasing pack.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was also looking formidable at Augusta National. The 35-year old who has won all the Majors, except the Masters, made four birdies in the first thirteen holes. Then came an unexpected double-bogey at the 15th hole where he chipped from the back of the green into the water. A penalty shot and one chip and a putt later he had, alas, carded a 7. Disaster too for McIlroy at the final hole where he made another double-bogey to finish his first round on level par 72. McIlroy shares the spot with Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who won the Masters in 2017, Collin Morikawa (USA) and eight others.
However, there were more Americans in the mix. The Number One Golfer in the World, Scottie Scheffler played a great opening round to finish on 4-under par together with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who played a superb Masters in 2024 when he claimed the second spot. Corey Connors completed the trio. American Bryson DeChambeau was really on-form too. The twice winner of the US Open had a tantalising first day at Augusta National when he shot a 3-under par 69 with seven birdies and four bogeys. DeChambeau shares fifth place with England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
Last year England’s Tommy Fleetwood had his best performance at Augusta National when he finished in a tie for third place. He began this year with a respectable one-over par 73 to share a spot with Americans Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth among others.
If you are wondering who the other English player is in the top-10, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Aaron Rai is tucked-in on a share of seventh on 2-under par with Americans Akshay Bahtia and Harris English and Jason Day (Australia).
Amateurs in the Masters
There are five amateurs playing in the Masters. Leading Amateur after day one is Hiroshi Tai from Singapore who is making his debut. The 23-year old made a double-bogey at the par 5, 7th but finished with a birdie at the par 4, 18th to also secure a 1-over par score with 73.
An important part of the Masters Week is the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday. The winner from Columbia was Nicolas Echavarria. Now he has made a good start in his Masters debut as the 30-year old carded a one-over par score on day one.
The Masters was a joy to watch and especially fine to see England’s Justin Rose at the top of the leaderboard. Let us hope that he slept well last night as Augusta National will be setting-up another great test of golf on Friday. Who will travel home with the covetted Green Jacket on Sunday? We’ll have to be patient until then!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: England’s Justin Rose takes the lead in the Masters 2025. MINIS (l-r): Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Scottie Scheffler.