Scottie Scheffler’s bid for a third green jacket in four years got off to an impressive start at The Masters with the American three back of clubhouse leader Justin Rose after round one.
Veteran Englishman Rose made the most of the benign conditions at Augusta with a superb seven-under-par 65 but Scheffler’s name looms large on the leaderboard.
Setting the pace! Justin Rose cards a 65 en route to capturing the clubhouse lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/TJtBtTImi2
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
The world number one enjoyed a bogey-free 68 that included birdies at the second, fourth, eighth and 16th.
Despite his recent success at the home of the year’s first major, Scheffler was not getting carried away by his strong early form.
He said: “I don’t really care what happened in the last few tournaments. I think anytime you get close to the lead, it’s going to be easier for you to win the golf tournament. That’s a simple fact of the matter. You get off to a good start, statistically you’re going to have a better chance to win the tournament.
“It’s funny because this is a golf course where there’s a lot of opportunities. There’s a lot of opportunity over the weekend. There’s a lot of opportunity on Sunday with where they put the pins. I’m a bit surprised that it’s like that, but I wouldn’t say that it can’t be done.”
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McIlroy looks good early on
Rose is renown for fast starts at Augusta having also held at least a share of the lead in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2021.
And it could have been even better for him had it not been for a bogey on the last.
Scheffler is tied at four-under with Canadian Corey Conners while Rory McIlroy, chasing his first major success since 2014, also moved within three of Rose through 14 holes.
Before making the turn, Rory McIlroy cards a birdie on No. 9 to reach three under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/jGOkrkIpD0
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
DeChambeau and Aaberg also going well
Tyrrell Hatton is at three-under, ahead of a number of players at two-under that included Aaron Rai and Jason Day.
Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aaberg are also at minus two through 14.
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas both carded one-over-par 73s while another pre-tournament favourite Jon Rahm was three over with four to play.
American Nick Dunlap endured a day to forget with an 18-over 90.
