The 2025 Masters at Augusta National is underway and fans are already being treated to drama and excitement. There are many stars competing for the grand prize including defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who will be hoping to finally complete his Grand slam.
Rose in Early Lead
Justin Rose is currently in sole possession of the lead at -7. The 44-year-old shot 65 in his opening round and is ahead of McIlroy and Scheffler. Rose matched his best ever first-round score at the Masters – which he achieved at the 2021 Masters – and Thursday’s round marked the ninth time that the Johannesburg-born golfer has shot a round in the 60s in the first round at Augusta National.
Rose’s final hole of the day ended with the only bogey of his round. However, he will be delighted with his performance having carded a round of 65 and standing seven under, three shots clear of second place.
The Englishman is making his 20th Masters start and has made the cut 16 times, including six top-10 finishes. He finished tied for second in 2015 and sole second in 2017. The 2013 U.S Open champion has shot under par in the second round four times in the last eight Masters.
McIlroy In Steady Start
Rory McIlroy is the only player still on the course and the Northern Irishman is within 4 strokes of Rose’s 7-under-par. McIlroy’s steady start has seen him currently sit tied for second at 4-under-par. However, he missed a great chance for birdie at the par-4 14th and his putt narrowly missed after it skidded to the right side of the hole.
The 35-year-old made a tap-in birdie at No. 13 to move to 4 under and tied for second place with Corey Conners and Scottie Scheffler, who have both completed their rounds. His tee shot at the par-5 15th hole landed in the rough. However, he landed his second shot on the green and two-putted to head to the par-5 15th at 4-under-par.
Scheffler Continues Pushing After Bogey-Free Start
Scottie Scheffler is off to a bogey-free start at Augusta National. The World No. 1 hit a birdie on the par-5 second and drained a 62-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fourth. Scheffler added another at No. 8 to turn in 3-under before he holed a 42-footer for a birdie on No.16 after he failed at collecting birdie on either back-nine par-5.
Since 2005, all Masters Winners have started at least in the top 11 after the first round, and Scheffler continues this trend. The American hit a couple of up-and-down par saves on Nos. 7 and 17 to maintain his clean sheet and keep his hopes of defending his crown off to a great start.
“I don’t really think about that stuff very much,” Scheffler said when the stat was brought to his attention. “I don’t really care what happened in the last few tournaments. I think anytime you get close to the lead, it’s going to be easier for you to win the golf tournament. That’s a simple fact of the matter. You get off to a good start, statistically you’re going to have a better chance to win the tournament.”
Main Photo Credit: © Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
