Gary Woodland finished his round with a score of 71, demonstrating resilience after overcoming a brain tumor in 2024 and dealing with subsequent PTSD. His playing partner, Robert MacIntyre, struggled with a score of 80, while Scottie Scheffler posted a respectable 70.
Regarding his performance, Justin Rose, who also scored 70, remarked, “I’m feeling a bit frustrated, but I’ll keep the overall perspective in mind. I stayed composed, but the course presented increasing challenges, and I misjudged the wind on a few occasions. There were some errors, but that’s part of the game here. The margins are thin. Overall, I’m pleased with how the tournament has started. I’ve had three second-place finishes previously, but there’s no specific lesson to draw from that. I know I can win here; it’s just a matter of not forcing it.”
At the 17th hole, Scheffler made par, maintaining a score of -2. His approach shot was impressive, yet his birdie attempt was tentative and fell short of the hole. As he approached the 18th tee, now enveloped in shadow except for his position, he found himself in a bunker on his drive.
Jon Rahm expressed disappointment after finishing with a score of 78. “This golf course is tough,” he commented. “Some players might have managed better scores, but when you lack a feel for your swing, it becomes challenging. It’s frustrating to be in this situation, needing a monumental effort over the next two days just to have a chance at winning.”
After a bogey at 17, Rose aimed to avoid another at 18. However, faced with a challenging third shot from beneath the scoreboard, he landed on the front of the green, but the hole was cut at the back. His attempt at a long par putt fell short to the left, yet he successfully converted the next opportunity. He concluded the day at -2, still in contention but likely feeling it could have been better.
Rose, like many others, found himself in the fairway bunkers at 18. His recovery shot veered wide right, settling near the scoreboard, making a par save difficult. Meanwhile, Rahm’s round marked his 37th at Augusta National, and it was his worst performance to date with a score of 78.
Ludvig Åberg finished with a score of 74, marking his ninth round at Augusta National, which is the first time he has needed that many strokes. Scheffler’s birdie attempt at 15 proved to be longer than anticipated, around eight feet, and he was unable to convert, remaining at -2, three shots off the lead. Rose also missed a par putt on 17.
In terms of standings, the leaderboard shows: -5: Burns (F), McIlroy (F); -3: Kitayama (F), Day (F), Reed (F), Rose (17); -2: Lowry (F), Schauffele (F), Scheffler (15).
As Rose prepared for his approach to 17, he employed his signature technique, standing behind the ball with one eye closed to gauge the line. His shot fell short of the green, leading to another challenging par putt.
At 15, MacIntyre, currently at +3, had a rough outing, hitting two balls into the water. Frustrated, he ceased his vocal outbursts that had previously required commentary apologies. In contrast, Scheffler showcased his short game prowess, setting up a six-foot birdie opportunity.
Harris English, playing in the final group, made a notable comeback after a double bogey at the 7th, having recorded five birdies since, including three consecutive ones at holes 12, 13, and 14. He now stands at -1 with the par-5 15th hole ahead.
As Rose approached the par-3 16th, his tee shot found the lower tier, leaving him with a challenging first putt that came up six feet short. Despite distractions, including the presence of a zip line camera casting a shadow, he successfully converted the par putt. With two difficult putts behind him, he moved confidently to the next tee.
Rose’s impressive recent performances in major championships are worth noting. At the 2024 PGA Championship, he finished sixth, closely trailing the leaders over the weekend. Two months later, he tied for second at the Open, delivering a performance that would have secured victory in many other tournaments, only to be surpassed by Xander Schauffele. Rose led after the first round at Augusta last year before falling back, yet he rebounded to set a 72-hole target that remained unmatched, with only Rory McIlroy equaling it. Since then, he has claimed two PGA Tour victories and contributed significantly to Europe’s Ryder Cup efforts, proving that at 45, he plays with the vigor of someone much younger.
At the par-5 15th, Rose executed two impressive shots into the green. However, his eagle putt proved tricky, resembling an unpleasant garden find, and it rolled to the right of the hole. He settled for a birdie, bringing his score to -4 while hitting 13 of 15 greens in regulation.
As previously noted, the pin position at 14 has posed challenges for many players today, with Nick Faldo remarking on its unusual nature. The putting surface features numerous swales, complicating successful approaches. Scheffler, however, managed to navigate it well and will soon have a 15-foot birdie attempt.
In a recent commentary, Andy Bull described Rory McIlroy’s first round, noting that past performances felt akin to carrying a delicate vase across a slippery floor, but this time he managed to navigate the course successfully.
Jon Rahm’s situation appears bleak. Following four bogeys on the front nine, he added a double bogey at 15, bringing his score to +6 through 14 holes.
Wayne Riley has anticipated an exciting conclusion, stating, “We’re in for the greatest Masters ever on Sunday,” reflecting on the difficulties encountered by players at the 13th hole, which is clearly becoming firmer. Both Scheffler and MacIntyre narrowly missed on their fourth shots, while Woodland managed to scrape a five.
