The 2025 defending Masters champion, Rory McIlory has tied up the lead after the opening round alongside Sam Burns, after Thursday’s action in Augusta.
Feature image credit: CC
Last year’s champion, McIlroy, has started the first major tournament in the same way he left it 12 months ago – in the lead. But the Northern Irishman has America’s Sam Burns for company as both golfers occupy the top spot.
Both competitors completed the 18-course, five under par, finishing 67 for the opening round.
However, Burns seemed to have the better and more straightforward run through Augusta National Golf Club’s 18 holes, compared to the reigning champion.
McIlory started with a par-birdie after the opening two holes before he bogied the third, paring it until the 8th and 9th, when he secured back-to-back birdies. The Grand Slam golfer seemed to find tricky places as he looked to settle into a rhythm, forcing himself to get out of trouble to save the holes.
On the back nine, the 2025 champion seemed to finally find the gear he needed, securing pars and a trio of birdies on the 13th to 15th, and a par-recovery on the 18th.
Embed from Getty ImagesEngland’s Justin Rose did hold onto the second overall spot, behind the tied leaders, but a bogey on the 16th meant the 2025 Masters runner-up fell to third to tie position, alongside the likes of Patrick Reed, Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama.
However, the same could not be said for America’s Bryson DeChambeau as the World No.24 found himself four over par after 18 holes, seemingly falling apart after a triple bogey on the 11th.
DeChambeau took three strokes to get himself out of the bunker, tucked up to the right of the green, and the nearby pin. The ball failed to escape the sand before he finally secured a two-putt triple bogey with seven shots over the par four hole.
As such, the Americans’ struggle found him tied for 56th overall.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho’s in the top 10?
T1 – 67 – Rory McIlroy // Sam Burns
T3 – 69 – Patrick Reed // Jason Day // Kurt Kitayama
T6 – 70 – Xander Schauffele // Scottie Scheffler // Justin Rose // Shane Lowry // Gary Woodland
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