The Masters Day 1

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA — April 11, 2019

No one embodies the tradition and history of the Masters Golf Tournament like six-time Masters Champion Jack Nicklaus. He and Gary Player arrived at the 1st tee this morning to kick off the 2019 Masters as the Honorary Starters.

The patrons, as Augusta National refers to the fans, cheered as Player drove it in the short grass and Jack hit his ball up the left side of the 1st fairway.

Jack filmed a short tribute to the world’s most famous golf course and golf tournament as a prelude to this year’s 83rd annual event.

Early Leaders

With the Tournament off to its official start, it was time for the 87 golfers invited to this year’s event to tee it up. The field of 81 professionals and 6 amateurs will battle it out over the next four days to see who will earn the coveted title of Masters Champion.

Several players posted early birdies to take the lead at 2 under par. Canadian Corey Conners was the first to move the lead to 3 under. What’s interesting about Conners is he was the last player to qualify for the Masters. He did so by winning the Valero Texas Open last week. He had to win a six-man playoff just to qualify to play in that tournament. Conners bogeyed the 18th but was the leader in the clubhouse at 2 under.

Tiger Woods sank a 25 foot put for birdie on the 14th hole, then a bogey on 17 had him finishing the day at 2 under.

Atop the Leader Board

Bryson DeChambeau used 3 birdies combined with 2 bogeys to post a 1 under par score on the front nine. After making par on 10 and 11 he birdied the 12th and 13th, then another bogey on 14. Birdies on 15, 16, 17, and 18 had DeChambeau at 6 under, the leader in the clubhouse.

DeChambeau’s second shot on the 18th was from 200 yards out in the fairway. He hit the green and the ball ran straight to the hole hitting the flagstick. Instead of dropping into the hole it bounced back just inches from the cup. His tap in completed the run of 4 birdies in a row.

Brooks Koepka was also 1 under after nine. Then, like DeChambeau, he caught fire. A birdie on 10, then 4 more on holes 12 through 15 sent Koepka to join DeChambeau atop of the leader board. A par on each of the 3 finishing holes preserved Koepka’s score making him the co-leader after day 1.

Favorites and Notables 

Phil Mickelson was even par after 11 holes, he too used a late run to post a 5 under par 67 to sit alone in 3rd. Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson are tied for 4th at 68, 4 under par.

Other fan favorites Ricky Fowler(-2), Tony Finau(-1), Sergio Garcia(+1), Rory McIlroy(+1), and Jordan Spieth(+3). Defending Champion Patrick Reed sits at 1 over par. The low amateur is Viktor Hovland(E) from Norway. Amateur Devon Bling, who almost won the Par-3 contest on Wednesday, finished the day at 2 over.

Here is the entire leader board so you can see where your favorite finished the day. Look to The Lasco Press for continuing coverage of the Masters with daily updates through Sunday’s final round.