Judging by what happened on the first day of the 2019 Masters, the rest of the week has a tough act to follow. That said, it is the Masters, so we’re not too worried.
Early on the opening round belonged to Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm, who were playing in the same group and trading blows on Augusta’s back nine. They both go to three-under, though a late bogey from Woods saw him finish with a two-under 70, while Rahm was able to post a 69. Two solid rounds, and yet they’ll still both be playing catch up on day two.
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They’re chasing Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who looked as though he might run away with the tournament when he made his sixth birdie of the day and his fourth in a row to reach six-under at the 15th. But in front of him DeChambeau was going on a similar tear, as he birdied six of his last seven holes, including one at 16 after a near ace, a chip-in at 17 and another birdie at 18 after almost holing his approach shot for eagle. There’s being “in the zone” and then there was DeChambeau’s finish on Thursday.
Golf is a game of inches… Exhibit C.#TheMasters @b_dechambeau pic.twitter.com/AbsgudKILQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
Watch the 66 that gives @b_dechambeau a share of the first round lead in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/jkfyN3VQKj
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2019
Koepka cooled off on his final few holes, but still managed to make three pars to close out his 66. He and DeChambeau are tied for the lead at six-under. One behind? Phil Mickelson, who birdied five of his final seven holes to finish with a 67. If you weren’t entertained by the opening-round action, you might want to check your pulse.
At four-under are two more big names in Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson. Four others are tied with Rahm at three-under, including Adam Scott and Kevin Kisner. Rickie Fowler, Jason Day and Francesco Molinari joined Tiger Woods at two-under.
