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Justin Rose made history at the Masters with an impressive first-round score of 65, eclipsing Jack Nicklaus to take the lead at Augusta.
In contrast, Rory McIlroy experienced yet another minor hiccup at the Masters. After closely following Rose, he now finds himself seven shots behind and needing to catch up.
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Before this outstanding seven-under feat, Rose was tied with six-time champion Nicklaus for the most first-round leads at the Masters, each having four.
Now, Rose holds this record solely, achieving a personal best score in his 71st appearance at Augusta with the 65 that placed him at the top after the opening day of the 2021 Masters.
He seemed poised for a better score until he stumbled with his only bogey at the 18th hole.
Still, this round significantly boosts his chances of surpassing his runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2017, where he narrowly lost to Sergio Garcia in a playoff.
Although Rose felt a tinge of disappointment over his sole mistake, it was nothing compared to the despair visible on McIlroy’s face as his attempt to climb the leaderboard took a nosedive into the water near the 15th green.
At four-under par with four holes left, McIlroy still had a shot at catching up to his Ryder Cup teammate and taking the first-round lead.
His hopes seemed viable as he struck his second shot beyond the green at the lengthy 15th hole, setting him up for a potential birdie.
However, his approach fell apart when he mishandled the chip, sending the ball rolling through the green and into the water.
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McIlroy shot frustrated looks at both his club and the turf he had just hit, but neither was to blame; it was a genuine human mistake.
He was forced to traverse the bridge next to the 15th green to chip again from the drop zone. Unfortunately, that effort fell short, remaining dry yet leaving him over thirty feet from the hole.
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As a result, he faced a painful double bogey after 14 holes without any sign of bogey, visibly shaken.
When he missed the green and had another difficult chip, it led to a second double bogey.
This situation wasn’t quite as severe as McIlroy’s infamous Masters collapse in 2011, when he ballooned to an 80 in the final round and lost a four-shot lead, but it felt similarly chaotic during the final holes.
At even par, he still has a flicker of hope, but he needs a low score on day two to have any realistic chance.
However, if his latest attempt to secure the career Grand Slam fails once again, that chip at 15 will surely haunt him for the next year.
Rose’s performance this year has been a mixed bag, showcasing a third-place tie at Pebble Beach and a top ten finish at Bay Hill, interspersed with three missed cuts.
Yet, the 44-year-old demonstrated he still possesses the talent to clinch another major title, having nearly caught Xander Schauffele at last year’s Open at Troon, where he tied for second with Billy Horschel.
He started his 20th Masters off spectacularly, nailing birdies on the first three holes.
Rose added two more birdies at the eighth and ninth holes, wrapping up the front nine in 31 shots—just one shy of the tournament record.
He furthered his lead with gains at the 15th and 16th holes, heading into the clubhouse four strokes ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, last year’s runner-up Ludvig Aberg, and Corey Conners.
Scheffler kicked off his title defense with a bang, sinking a spectacular 62-foot putt.
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He followed this up with another lengthy putt from 42 feet near the end of his round, highlighting the challenge that competitors will face in trying to prevent him from claiming a third Masters title in four years.
The Texan appeared slightly sheepish after those putts fell, realizing he had gained two significant advantages in his quest to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters.
The trio who have done this are all legends of Augusta—Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Nick Faldo—collectively holding an astounding 14 green jackets.
Scheffler, at just 28 years old, is only making his sixth Masters appearance yet has already carved a niche for himself at Augusta.
He captured victory in 2022 and again last year, finishing in the top 20 in every tournament so far. His rounds have dipped below par just twice in his last 24 outings.
His score of 68 marks the fourth consecutive time Scheffler has opened with a score in the 60s, bringing his cumulative score to an impressive 17 under par across those opening rounds.
What sets him apart is his ability to avoid making mistakes compared to his rivals. To secure that elusive green jacket, it’s apparent that one must actively pursue it—he certainly won’t be handing it out.
Rose seems ready for the challenge. The lingering question is: Is Rory prepared? Time will tell.
Who are golf’s most famous Wags?
The world’s leading golfers enjoy lavish lifestyles—and their partners live captivating lives of their own.
Here are some of the most prominent figures…
- With a handicap of three, this sports journalist could very easily compete with her partner on the greens.
- This low-profile beauty married a top golfer in front of high-profile guests, including Stevie Wonder and Chris Martin.
- A former gymnast, she has supported her husband’s career for 14 years—he even pays tribute to her on his golf balls.
