Day and Leishman two-under, Woods and Casey set pace at Masters
Tiger Woods has always been a notoriously slow starter at Augusta National, even while winning five green jackets. Not this year.
The defending champion shot a bogey-free, four-under 68 in the opening round of the Masters, leaving him three shots off the lead and very much in contention for a record-tying sixth title. Paul Casey tops the leaderboard after shooting a seven-under 65.
Woods' hot start was a big surprise, considering the lacklustre form he had shown coming into this pandemic-delayed tournament, which copped another three-hour.
Then again, Woods usually plays well at Augusta no matter the circumstances. Nineteen months ago, he rallied on the final day to win his 15th major title.
"It's just experience. It's just understanding how to play this golf course," Woods said. "I have a sense of ease when I come here."
It is the first time Woods has played the opening round at Augusta without a bogey, and only the second time he has started the tournament by breaking 70. He matched a 68 in the opening round of the 2010 Masters.
Five-time champion Tiger Woods is looking good at Augusta.Credit:Getty
Thursday's rain-delayed opener was also the first bogey-free round for Woods in a major since the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine.
"I drove it well, I hit my irons well and I putted well," Woods said. "I did everything well today."
For 43-year-old Englishman Casey, it was a case of what a difference a year-and-a-half makes.
In 2019 Casey shot 86 and 82 to badly miss the cut. But he turned things around in his return to Augusta National, which was delayed for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic.
Marc Leishman finished two-under-par in his opening round at the Masters.Credit:Getty
Starting on the back side, Casey made five birdies and rolled in an eagle at the par-5 second hole to match his lowest score ever at the Masters. He headed into the clubhouse with a two-shot lead over Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele.
Casey has never won a major title, but he's usually part of the mix at Augusta. He's had five top-10 finishes, with his best showing being a tie for fourth in 2016.
“I've not played particularly great golf since the whole pandemic hit,” Casey said. "I put in a lot of hard work in a short amount of time and it paid off today with the score I shot.”
Marc Leishman and Lukas Michel were the first Australians back in the clubhouse, the former's round highlighted by an eagle on the 13th. He finished two-under, as did 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day, and will rue bogeys on the 10th and 17th, while amateur Michel finished four-over in his first round at Augusta.
Woods was one of five players to finish at four-under, alongside Hideki Matsuyama, Louis Oosthuizen, Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood. Jazz Janewattananond, Jon Rahm and Tony Finau are a shot further back with US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau carding a two-under 70.
Australia's 2013 champion Adam Scott got off to a hot start and is two-under through six holes.
Among the notables who will not complete their first rounds on Thursday are world No.1 Dustin Johnson, three-times champion Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, who needs a win this week to complete the career grand slam of golf's four majors.
Despite this being a Masters like no other, without paying spectators due to coronavirus concerns, several hundred members crowded the first tee as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit the ceremonial tee shots to start the tournament in near darkness.
AP, Reuters, SMH