Tiger Woods in Contention After Day 1 at The Masters

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA — April 8, 2022

It was not a triumphant march to the top of the leaderboard, but it was remarkable in almost every other way. Tiger Woods shot one-under-par on the opening day of the 2022 Masters tournament. He is tied for 10th place just four strokes off the lead of Im Sung-Jae, who shot 67 on the Augusta National Golf Club course.

Just 15 months removed from an automobile accident that nearly cost him his right leg, Woods walked the sloping fairways of Augusta seemingly without difficulty. After opening with five straight pars, Tiger birdied the par-three sixth hole. He gave a stroke back to the field with a bogey on the par-five eighth hole. Two birdies and a bogey on the back nine gave Woods an opening round 71 as he made key putts on several holes to preserve his score.

The Top of the Leaderboard

Cameron Smith, the winner of last month’s Players Championship, sits alone in second a single stroke behind Im. Scottie Scheffler, the new number one ranked player in the world, is tied for third at three-under-par. Three other players including Danny Willett, Joaquin Niemann, and Dustin Johnson are tied with Scheffler.

Patrick Cantlay, Corey Conners, and Jason Kokrak hold a share of seventh place at two-under. Only 18 players scored in red numbers on day one.

Notable Players

Webb Simpson, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris, and Kevin Na are among the eight other players tied with Woods at one under. Defending Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood, are among a group of 12 tied at even par.

Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, and Collin Morikawa are one-over-par. Former number one in the world Jon Rahm is in a group of 17 that includes Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, and Xander Schauffele at two over.

Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas sit nine strokes off the lead at four-over-par. Others who may face the prospect of missing the cut are Tommy Fleetwood(+3), Brooks Koepka(+3), Bryson DeChambeau(+4), and Justin Thomas(+4).

The U.S. Amateur champion, Michigan State Golfer James Piot had a disappointing opening day shooting a nine-over-par score of 81. Keita Nakajima is the current low amateur at even par, tied for 19th.

First Round Leaderboard of the 86th Masters Tournament