5 Quick Observations From Day 1 At The Masters
- Updated: April 5, 2018
The 82nd Masters is underway, and as expected, it’s already living up to the hype. Here are 5 observations from Thursday’s first round.
Leaderboard: Jordan Spieth (-6), Tony Finau (-4), Matt Kuchar (-4), Henrik Stenson (-3), Rory McIlroy (-3), Patrick Reed (-3), Haotong Li (-3), Charley Hoffman (-3)
1. Spieth is really good at Augusta National
Jordan Spieth is the first round leader, which really shouldn’t be a surprise. In 17 career rounds, he’s now led 9 of them. Psssst …. that’s as many as Tiger has!
He went out in -2 which included an eagle on the par-5 8th. Then he caught fire on the second nine rattling off 5 birdies in a row from 13-17. But after a wayward tee shot on 18, Spieth salvaged bogey where most people would’ve made triple.
Spieth posted a 66 (-6) to lead by 2. Oh and apparently, the 24-year old still knows how to putt. Who would’ve thunk it. He’s the man to beat … again.
The 12th hole should be interesting on Sunday.
Watch @JordanSpieth‘s first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/4wji7Vnsoh
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2018
2. Tiger needs to birdie a par-5
Tiger teed it up at Augusta for the first time in 1,089 days and all things considered (it’s only his 6th tournament back etc), he held his own well.
He went out in a respectable 37 (+1), but the wheels started wobbling in Amen Corner. On 11, he blew a drive way right leading to a bogey. Then on the par-3 12th, he dunked one in Rae’s Creek.
But right when it all could’ve gotten away from him, Tiger managed to hole a 15-footer to save bogey and in fact, even some momentum. He got those shots right back with birdies on 14 & 16 and posted a first round 73 (+1) which is definitely still in it.
But Tiger failed to make birdie or better on any of the par-5s for only the 5th time in his 79 career Masters rounds. The dude used to feast on them in his prime.
He has to make some birdies, or preferably eagles if he wants to make a run up the leaderboard.
Watch @TigerWoods‘ first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wB1vc9KDq2
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2018
3. Tony Finau is a freak of nature
On Wednesday, Tony Finau dislocated his ankle and popped it back into place. Today, he shot a 68 (-4) and sits in a tie for 2nd place. The guy didn’t even know he was going to play until this morning!
“It was nothing short of a miracle …” he said after the round.
“The emotions have been pretty crazy.” — @tonyfinaugolf speaks about the past 24 hours following his first round 68. #themasters pic.twitter.com/yzHk0hqEnG
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 5, 2018
4. Protracer at Augusta National is breathtaking
For the first time in its history, the Masters broadcast is including shot tracer (protracer, whatever) on 5 holes for our viewing pleasure: 9, 10, 13, 15 and 18. And the results are otherworldly.
Is this heaven?
5. Sergio’s Tin Cup moment was spectacular
Defending champ Sergio Garcia went full Roy McAvoy on the 15th hole rinsing 5 balls, 4 with a wedge from the drop zone. Yikes. He made a 13, tying the highest score on a par-5 in Masters history.
As McAvoy would say, “give me another ball.”
Shot 1: Fairway
Shot 2: Water
Shot 3: Drop
Shot 4: Water
Shot 5: Drop
Shot 6: Water
Shot 7: Drop
Shot 8: Water
Shot 9: Drop
Shot 10: Water
Shot 11: Drop
Shot 12: Green
Shot 13: In the hole pic.twitter.com/fw7AhBUw7B— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 5, 2018
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