Jason Day emerged as the standout Australian golfer after the opening round of the Masters, finishing at three under par, just two strokes behind the co-leaders Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, and American Sam Burns.
Adam Scott completed his round at even par, buoyed by an eagle on the 13th hole. In contrast, Cameron Smith ended the day at two over par, while top-ranked Australian Min Woo Lee struggled significantly, concluding his round at six over.
Day delivered an impressive performance, captivating the audience at Augusta National with his precise shot-making as he seeks his first Masters title. He recorded a first-round score of 69, placing him in a strong position for the tournament. After turning at even par, Day hit back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes before executing an extraordinary shot on the 14th that left spectators in awe.
“Oh wow, unreal, J Day!” fans exclaimed as Day skillfully navigated through a cluster of trees to secure a par.
Day detailed the challenge, saying, “I had 153 yards to the pin. The wind was coming from the left, and we had to account for some spin. The goal was to execute a high cut.” He emphasized the importance of striking the ball correctly to avoid an undesirable outcome from the first cut of grass.
Key putts on the 17th and 18th holes capped off Day’s strong performance, while his Australian peers faced difficulties in the sweltering conditions. He is now in pursuit of Burns, who achieved a tie for seventh at last year’s US Open, and McIlroy, who aims to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win consecutive Masters titles.
McIlroy reflected on the benefits of previous victories, stating, “I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one. I do.” After scoring six birdies and one bogey, he acknowledged the challenges that still lie ahead but felt more confident in his swings due to his past successes.
Scott, in his 25th Masters appearance, showcased resilience with an eagle on the 13th, recovering from a rocky start that included three bogeys on the front nine. He ultimately finished with an even-par 72, putting him five shots from the lead. “I wish I would have finished under par today,” Scott remarked, noting the psychological significance of breaking par in major tournaments.
Several players also achieved eagles during the first round, including two-time champion Scottie Scheffler, Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard, and Day’s playing partner Shane Lowry, who also made an eagle on the 13th. However, American Patrick Reed stole the spotlight by starting his tournament with a birdie followed by an eagle, marking a rare achievement in Masters history.
Min Woo Lee’s performance was markedly different; he struggled on the par-five 13th, hitting his drive out of bounds and ultimately finishing the round at six over par. His score matched that of his 66-year-old playing partner Fred Couples, who also experienced difficulties, culminating in a quadruple bogey on the 15th hole.
Cameron Smith, despite finishing with a two-over 74, expressed optimism about his chances in the tournament, stating he was “definitely not out of the tournament.” As the weather conditions are expected to become more challenging throughout the event, Day remains pleased with his positioning and anticipates a tough competition ahead. “Just depends on what they want. If they want single digits to win, it’ll be baked out and fast,” he said, hinting at the potential difficulties all players may face in the coming rounds.
