Three takeaways from the Masters first round

Major season is officially back.

And what better way to begin golf’s biggest four events than a stacked Masters leaderboard with a top ten that includes the likes of Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg and Jason Day.

Of course, it was Rose who was the pick of that bunch, with the Englishman at one point threatening to break the Augusta course record, before ending with a superb first round seven-under 65.

After soaking in every moment of the action, we’ve compiled our three biggest takeaways from the opening round of the year’s first Major Championship.

Justin Rose demonstrated his deep familiarity with Augusta National by delivering a masterclass in the opening round, posting an impressive 65.

The 42-year-old Englishman, a two-time runner-up at the venue, wasted no time asserting himself, starting with three consecutive birdies before igniting another streak around the turn. Three more birdies from 8-11 widened his lead at the top, before two more at the 15^th and 16^th put him four clear of the chasing pack and in with a chance of a record-breaking 62 or even a course-tying 63.

That bid for history fell short, with his only blemish at the day coming at the last but his 65 saw him finish the day with a three-stroke lead over Scheffler, Corey Conner and Aberg.

Despite missing out on once slice of history, Rose still created some, becoming the first player in Masters history to record multiple opening rounds of 65 or better, helping him to his fifth time leading or co-leading after day one – more than any other competitor. In fact, Rose has led or co-led any of the Masters an astonishing nine times in his career, which is the most of any player without a Masters win.

Could this be the year the 41-year-old finally slips into the Green Jacket in what his 20^th start? Well, history isn’t exactly on his side. Back in 2021, he led by four heading into the second round before finishing the tournament in seventh place, while a higher percentage of players (56%) have held a three-shot lead after the first round of Major and failed to get the job done compared to the 44% that have.

And probably the most damning of all of the stats? Since the first Masters in 1934, there have been 80 other instances of a player aged 40 or older leading or co-leading after the first round of Major. A whopping 76 of them shot a higher score in the second round, with 77 of them not going on to on to win.

Still history is meant to be broken, right? And if anyone can buck the trend it’s a man who has knows Augusta like the back of his hand – just like Rose does.

Heading into the Masters, Rory McIlroy declared himself a “better player now than I ever have been,” as he aimed to complete the career Grand Slam at a venue that has eluded him.

For much of Thursday, it seemed like the Northern Irishman might finally make the strong start he’s long sought at Augusta. A bogey-free front nine, which included three birdies, set a promising tone.

Another birdie on the 13th brought McIlroy to four under, well within striking distance. However, an aggressive chip from behind the par-five 15th green found the water, resulting in a triple-bogey seven. A double bogey on the par-four 17th followed, tarnishing an otherwise composed round that had showcased patience and maturity. 

Four shots were lost in just three holes, and with them, perhaps his hopes of donning the Green Jacket this week. McIlroy’s level-par round left him six shots off the lead - marking the seventh consecutive year he’s started the Masters with such a deficit.

History is not on his side, as 83% of champions have been within four shots of the lead after the first round, and all but one of the past 19 winners have met the same benchmark.

Despite arriving at Augusta in brilliant form, with two PGA Tour wins this year, including the Players Championship, there is something about Augusta that just seems to get under his skin. No matter how good he is elsewhere, this place always has other ideas, even when it looks for all the world he is going to buck the trend.

Unsurprisingly, the five-time Major winner bypassed media duties after his round, heading straight to the practice area. An extra session to iron out those silly mistakes perhaps, but if McIlroy is to finally win the Green Jacket, he must ensure he shows the same level of patience and maturity he did until the 15^th fairway.

Has LIV Golf ruined Jon Rahm?

Jon Rahm’s opening round reflected the difficulties he has encountered in the game’s biggest events since joining LIV Golf in December 2023.

A player who once stood at the summit of the sport, Rahm’s remarkable 2023 season included victories at the Masters, a second Major title, two further top tens in The Open and U.S. Open, along with a dominant Ryder Cup campaign. However, his move to LIV Golf has coincided with a period of diminished impact in the Majors.

On Thursday, he endured another challenging day at Augusta National. A wayward drive on the 9th hole, struck deep into the woods, saw him nearly snap the club in half.

Clearly frustrated, Rahm’s visible reaction highlighted a round where he seemed unable to summon the precision and control that defined his earlier successes. He finished the day three over par, placing him in danger of missing the cut and far removed from the heights he achieved at Augusta two years prior.

It’s becoming a worrying trend, with title defence of the 2024 Masters concluding with a tie for 45th, followed by a missed cut at the PGA Championship and a withdrawal from the U.S. Open due to injury. While a T-7 finish at The Open was a return of the Rahm of old, it shone the spotlight on a broader pattern of inconsistency.

Despite consistently strong finishes in LIV Golf events, the perceived lack of depth in competition has left questions regarding the relevance of these performances. For a player of Rahm’s stature, these results fall short of his high expectations.

While some players have flourished in the biggest events since joining LIV Golf - most notably Bryson DeChambeau, whose resurgence over the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable - Rahm appears to have taken a different trajectory. It’s perhaps a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of such career decisions.