Masters Round 1: Jon Rahm fights back from brutal start; LIV’s Brooks Koepka atop crowded leaderboard

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The tradition unlike any other is again and higher than ever.

Jon Rahm stormed again after a nightmarish begin, Brooks Koepka is placing LIV Golf on his again and Tiger Woods is again at Augusta.

This is every part to know in regards to the first spherical of the Masters:

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Jon Rahm’s comeback

Rahm reached the primary gap in regulation, however a brutal four-putt opened up his scorecard with a double bogey.

Jon Rahm of Spain waves after his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. 

Jon Rahm of Spain waves after his putt on the 18th gap in the course of the first spherical of the Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga.  (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)

It is no fluke he is of the favorites to win his first inexperienced jacket. Rahm was unconscious for the remainder of the afternoon, going nine-under the remainder of the day.

Rahm answered his double with back-to-back birdies, and after one other one on seven, he eagled eight, and it was an entire new ball sport. After 4 straight pars, he birdied 4 of his remaining six holes and entered the clubhouse tied for the lead with Viktor Hovland after a 7-under 65. It is the lowest rating in Masters historical past after a participant opening with a double-bogey or worse.

Welcome again, Brooks Koepka

Koepka was one of many largest names to defect to LIV Golf final 12 months, and that is his first Masters since then. He is missed the lower in his earlier two appearances after ending tied for second in 2019. 

Not lots of the LIV gamers did a lot, however Koepka’s name is at the top of the leaderboard, together with Rahm and Viktor Hovland, at 7 beneath. Koepka birdied the ultimate two holes of the day to achieve that quantity.

Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts to his birdie on the 18th green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga.

Brooks Koepka of the US reacts to his birdie on the 18th inexperienced in the course of the first spherical of the 2023 Masters Match at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs)

Regardless of his controversial transfer to the LIV, Koepka’s been beneath the radar. Nevertheless it’s no secret Koepka goes into a unique mode in majors. Final 12 months was a unique story. He missed two cuts and completed tied for fifty fifth on the PGA Championship after which fifty fifth on the U.S. Open.

In Netflix’s “Free Swing,” he didn’t shrink back from talking about his latest struggles. Now, in his eighth Masters, he is trying to get again to his dominance of 2017 to 2019.

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Tiger Woods’ up-and-down afternoon

Woods shot an up-and-down 74 within the first spherical Thursday, his fifth spherical of aggressive golf this 12 months.

Woods bogeyed three of his first seven holes however birdied eight to get to 2 over. He performed even golf the rest of the spherical.

Tiger Woods of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga.

Tiger Woods of the US performs a shot from a bunker on the 18th gap in the course of the first spherical of the 2023 Masters Match at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs)

After bogeying 11 to start Amen Nook, Woods birdied each 15 and 16, the primary of which got here on a 30-foot putt on the par 5. However, after hitting back-to-back bunkers on 18, he needed to accept a bogey to complete his spherical.

Woods’ odds of profitable a sixth inexperienced jacket appear slim, however a win would tie him with Jack Nicklaus for essentially the most ever.

TIGER WOODS SHOOTS TWO-OVER 74 IN FIRST ROUND OF MASTERS

Woods has superior to Saturday in 22 consecutive Masters he has performed and has not missed the lower since 1996. If he makes the lower Friday, he’ll tie the document for many consecutive cuts made on the event, becoming a member of Gary Participant and Fred {Couples}.

Different notes

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler eagled the second gap of the day however cooled off by going 2 beneath for the remaining 16 holes. He completed with a 4-under 68.

Nonetheless on his quest for his first inexperienced jacket, Rory McIlroy once more had a sluggish first spherical. 5 birdies, three bogeys and a double all add as much as a good 72 for the 33-year-old.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. 

Rory McIlroy of Northern Eire reacts on the 18th inexperienced in the course of the first spherical of the 2023 Masters Match at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Ga.  (Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs)

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Hovland’s 65 is the bottom rating by anybody paired with Woods. Not many gamers welcome the group Tiger brings alongside, however the Norwegian appears to be dealing with it simply effective.

Sam Bennett is 4 beneath. By no means heard of him? Properly, it is as a result of he is an novice. Bennett attends Texas A&M and earned a visit to the event by profitable the U.S. Beginner at Ridgewood Nation Membership in Paramus. That victory additionally earned him an exemption to The Open Championship later this 12 months. He completed tied for forty ninth on the U.S. Open final 12 months.

Oh, and Fred Couples shot a 1 under. The legend continues.

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