Sungjae Im posted a mightily impressive five-under 67 to lead after the first round of the 2022 Masters on the day that Tiger Woods made his long-awaited return to competitive action in thrilling fashion.
The Australian, who won the Players Championship on his last start, looked odds-on to set the early pace as he recovered from the first-hole setback with eight birdies in 12 holes from the fifth. However, a poor tee shot and a three-putt from distance on the last undid some of his good work, although he'll still take plenty of encouragement into tomorrow's round.
Behind them come a quartet of players: Danny Willett, Joaquin Niemann, Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson. Both Scheffler and Johnson were four-under coming down the stretch but had to settle for 69s as Augusta National showed its teeth on Thursday.
The big story of day one, though, was Tiger Woods. Making his long-awaited return 14 months on from a serious car crash he was lucky to walk away from, the 15-time Major champion defied the odds, proving once again exactly why he is far and away the blockbuster draw in the game of golf.
Five pars to start would have settled any nerves he and his army of fans had, before an arrow-like approach to the par-3 6th resulted in his first birdie of the tournament. An untidy bogey on the 8th showed there was some rust lingering, but the famous competitive steel was on full display with clutch par saves around the turn.
A bogey at 14 cancelled out a two-putt gain on the 13th before his moment of the round came at the par-3 16th. From some 30 feet, the five-time Masters champion converted to send the crowd into meltdown and create the kind of atmosphere usually reserved for the back-nine on Sunday.
Woods closed out his incredible comeback performance with a gutsy par save from around 10 feet and spoke of the mammoth effort required by everyone in his team to get him to this point.
"People have no idea how hard it's been," Woods said of the process to make his latest astonishing return. "My team does. They've worked with me every single day. I've said this before, we haven't taken a day off since I got out of the bed after those three months.
"Granted, some days are easier than others. Some days we push it pretty hard, and other days we don't. But always doing something. So it's commitment to getting back and commitment to getting back to a level that I feel that I can still do it. I did something positive today."
But the work doesn't stop for Tiger when the scorecard is signed. After the round, he detailed the gruelling process he must go through in order to give his ailing body the best chance of recovery.
"Lots of treatments; lots of ice baths," he added. "Just basically freezing myself to death - that's just part of the deal. And getting all the swelling out as best as we possibly can and getting it mobile and warmed up, activated and explosive for the next day. Those are two totally different ends of the spectrum.
"Most sports, if you're not feeling very good, you got a team-mate to pass it off to, and they can kind of shoulder the load. Or in football, one day a week. Here we've got four straight days, and there's no one that's going to shoulder the load besides me. I've got to figure out a way to do it.
"My team's been incredible at getting me into this position so that I can compete. I'll take it from there. I know how to play. I've just got to get out there where I can play."
The Masters 2022: Day one leaderboard
- Im: -5
- Smith: -4
- Willett, Niemann, Scheffler, D. Johnson: -3
- Kokrak, Conners, Cantlay: -2
The Masters 2022: Day one as it happened
30-Minute Delay
Sounds like there was quite the storm last night at Augusta, so the tee times have all been pushed back half an hour.
The Honorary starters of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player will now be on the tee at 8.15am, with the first tee time proper out at 8.30am.
Check out all the round 1 and round 2 tee times.
There has only been one story people have been talking about so far this week - and that's Tiger Woods. He has a morning tee time at around 10.30am local - check out the below video to make sure you know everything about him.
HELLO AND WELCOME
Hello everyone! Dan Parker here taking you through until around 3pm BST on this highly anticipated Masters Thursday. We've got Elliott Heath and Sam Tremlett on the ground at Augusta National who will be ready to cover Tiger Woods' return at around 11am EDT as well as the bulk of the day's play.
For those who haven't seen already, there's been a 30 minute delay to proceedings due to inclement weather. This means the honorary starters will begin at 8:15 EDT with the first group of Jose Maria Olazabal and J.J Spaun starting at 8:30am EDT.
Check out the full list of first and second round tee times as well as the Masters weather forecast for the rest of today and the weekend.
PAR-3 CHAMPIONS
Jon Rahm admitted he broke too many rules to post his score, and we saw a great running effort from Tommy Fleetwood's son on a fun but weather effected competition. Famously, no one has ever won the par-3 and the Green Jacket in the same year...
Another great Masters tradition is due to take place at 8:15am EDT and Tom Watson will be joining Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the first time. Watson is a two-time winner of the Masters and joins Nickalus and Player in their 12th and 10th years as honorary starters respectively.
BETTING TIPS
There's still plenty of time to have a flutter on who you think might win the Masters this year. Check out the tips from resident Golf Monthly tipster Jeremy Chapman to see what he thinks of the 2022 field.
I've had a little bet this year so, if you're interested, I've gone for Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau and a what I'm led to believe it a fully fit Paul Casey. If you fancy an outsider, I agree with Jeremy Chapman that Justin Rose seems decent money this year.
JOIN OUR MASTERS FANTASY LEAGUE
If you're not much of a gambler but still want bragging right over your mates on picks, the Masters Fantasy League is a lot of fun. There's a Golf Monthly league with instructions on how to join, so get involved with us this week!
I'm 'BCFC4LIFE' (any other Birmingham City fans out there?) if you want to try and beat me in the league. There's no prizes on offer, but imagine the sense of pride you'll feel if you do win? It's better than any monetary prize I can assure you.
HOW TO WATCH THE MASTERS
Make sure you miss none of this year's coverage with our guide on how to watch the Masters from whatever part of the world you're in. We're just over an hour away from the scheduled start but I'm hearing reports the rain is still coming down at Augusta National...
Credit: David Lyttleton
I still can't quite believe it's happening, but Tiger Woods is playing competitive golf this week. Just 14 months after a car crash that saw him nearly lose his leg, the greatest golfer of all time is back in competitive action.
He is due to tee off alongside Louis Oozthuizen and Joaquin Niemann at 11:15am EDT. It's sure to be an emotional return and that group is likely to have a huge following from the patron on site. What other groups are you looking forward to watching today?
We've got our first look at the pins for the first round and there are some tasty looking positions out there. The 10th hole in particular looks a nasty one as does the 3rd!
HOW MANY SCREENS?
How are you set up for the opening day of the Masters? I'm currently quad-screening with as many streams as possible ready to go. Tweet us @GolfMonthly with your Masters Thursday set up!
Approximately: -348 DFS lineups entered-28 guys I'm convinced are gonna win-7 streaming devices ready to rollLet's do this.April 7, 2022
30 MINUTES UNTIL PLAY STARTS
I've been reliably informed from our men on the ground at Augusta that, while a little murky, we're all set for an 8:30am EDT start with the honorary starters kicking us off at 8:15am EDT. Here we go...
We've already spoken about our betting tips, but who are the favourites and who are the outsiders coming into this year's Masters? We've compiled a list of Masters favourites and Masters outsiders in the field to give you some context with the names on the leaderboard.
If you don't follow Tour golf regularly, these should be a really useful guide for the players to keep an eye on this week.
IDEAL SCORING CONDITIONS
It's been a wet start to Masters week and while the course will be in perfect condition, it should also be very easy to score well for those going out early. Will we see one of the early starters go seriously low?
Short rain delay here at Augusta but still warm and wind is down - expect low scoring while these conditions remain with course so soft - early starters will be looking to take advantage @SkySportsGolfApril 7, 2022
One of the best traditions in golf has signalled the start of the 2022 Masters. Gary Player led proceedings, followed by Jack Nicklaus and new honorary start Tom Watson.
Player had a nice bit a banter with the crowd about doing some push ups while Nicklaus came dressed in all yellow (or gold depending on your persuasion).
Watson, who went last, gave a lovely speech acknowledging how humbled he was to be a part of the ceremony. He duly drills one past Gary Player's ball. Ladies and gentleman, we're underway...
WATSON JOINS HONORARY STARTERS
Tom Watson looked genuinely humbled to be part of the honorary starters.
He's still got it by the way and drills his drive off the first tee. The three starters then embraced in a touching moment to start the 2022 Masters. Watch Watson's shot below...
With 15 top-10 Masters finishes and a legacy that will last a lifetime, Tom Watson joins the Honorary Starters. #theMasters pic.twitter.com/AXMu9McRopApril 7, 2022
JJ Spaun made it into the field by virtue of his win last week in Texas while Olazabal has two Green Jackets that he won in 1994 and 1999. While these pair go off together as a two ball, the rest will go out in three balls.
WATCH PLAYER AND NICKLAUS TEE OFF
Not forgetting two of the biggest names in the history of golf, check out the opening drives of Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. Player in his customary all-black apparel offered a stark contrast to Nicklaus' yellow attire. Both looked well though and had a good bit of back and forth with the crowd.
63 years since he played in his first Masters, Jack Nicklaus returns once again to be part of the Honorary Starters. #themasters pic.twitter.com/pf7vKzE3TzApril 7, 2022
Gary Player, three-time Masters champion, has been part of the Honorary Starters since 2012. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2HNE2zImYxApril 7, 2022
EARLY BIRDIE
Padraig Harrington gets his tournament underway alongside par-3 champion Mike Weir and amateur Austin Greaser - quite the eclectic group!
Before organising his practice rounds earlier this week, Rory McIlroy didn't even know the 2021 Ryder Cup captain was in the field for the 2022 Masters. Harrington gained entry this year thanks to a 4th place finish at last year's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
FYI, Rory, your former Ryder Cup captain has just split the middle of the fairway at the first.
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR PAR-3 CHAMP
One of the two winners of the par-3 contest yesterday, Mike Weir, has made a slow start to the tournament by double bogeying the first hole.
The Canadian left hander won the 2003 Masters but, as I said earlier, no one wins the par-3 and a Green Jacket in the same week. Bad omens for Weir - he had no realistic chance anyway so maybe this is a moot point altogether, but I wanted to mention it.
Elsewhere, put the Cava on hold for Olazabal's victory run. The veteran Spaniard has made a bogey on the par-5 second after making a stylish birdie at the first.
TV COVERAGE STARTING
As the first groups make their way out onto the hallowed Augusta turf, TV coverage across the world is starting up. In the UK, here's how you can watch the Masters and if you're joining us from anywhere else in the world, we've outlined exactly how you can stream the coverage from the comfort of your own home.
Austin Greaser is a fantastic name isn't it? Properly American. Anyway, the Ohio native reached the Masters by finishing runner-up at the 2021 US Amateur. He's currently ranked 22nd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and he's out there with Padraig Harrington and Mike Weir for the first two days.
Greaser made headlines in 2021 when an incredible 168-yard hole-in-one clinched his first college title as he led the University of North Carolina men's team to a three-shot win at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational. Check out the rest of the amateur golfers playing at this year's Masters.
HIGGO TO -1
Garrick Higgo, making his first ever appearance at the Masters, starts with a birdie on the first hole. The left-handed South African leads at this very, very, very early stage.
HARRINGTON JOINS LEAD
I know it's early days but there's something exciting about players 'entering the lead', right? No, just me?
Anyway, Harrington has joined Higgo at the top of the leaderboard at -1 thanks to a birdie on the 3rd hole.
BIRDIE-FEST?
I keep teasing a low scoring day but I'm convinced we're going to get a boat-load of birdies today. Harrington has stuck it very close on the 4th and Guido Migliozzi has just joined the group at -1. This is going to be a great day of golf...
After sticking it very close on the 4th, Harrington roles in the putt to go to 2-under par for the tournament. A man who Rory McIlroy didn't know was playing this week is currently leading the Masters.
The cricket season has started in the UK today, so here's Harrington modelling an attempted long-barrier out on course today.
MIGLIOZZI STARTS FAST
The Augusta first-timers out early this morning don't appear to be struggling too much with course's mannerisms. The Italian debutant secures back-to-back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd hole to join Harrington in the joint lead.
TIGER WATCH
I don't wish to get too over-excited, but Tiger Woods is playing a competitive round of golf today at Augusta National Golf Club. Does it get much better than this? I think if you'd asked anyone whether that would be the case this time last year, they'd have though you were mad.
Anyway folks, set your clocks for 11:04am EDT for the return of the GOAT.
Bogeys for Migliozzi and Harrington send them both back to 1-under par. They join Garrick Higgo, who has made three steady pars every since birding the first hole. Best polo shirt of the day (so far) belongs to Higgo, by the way.
JOIN OUR FANTASY LEAGUE
Don't forget there's still chance to join the Golf Monthly Masters Fantasy League. Pick four players from four categories and battle it out with the Golf Monthly team and fellows readers.
There's no prize for the winner I'm afraid, just pure pride. I've gone for Seamus Power, Dustin Johnson, Tony Finau and Paul Casey from the four respective groups. I also guessed there would be 333 birdies too for the tiebreaker question. Is that stupidly low, stupidly high or neither? I've no idea.
PAR SAVE
This is fast becoming the 'Golf Monthly Padraig Harrington Live Text', but the Irishman is providing all the early entertainment out there.
He's just holed a monstrous 67ft putt on the 6th green. It was only for a par but that'll feel like a birdie or better for the 2021 Ryder Cup captain.
PADDY'S PUTT
67 feet for par and a patron roar for Padraig Harrington on No. 6. #themasters pic.twitter.com/b7zwrNI8imApril 7, 2022
Time to check in on the leaderboard now that a decent chunk of the field is out there. Higgo has made his first bogey of the day to drop back to level par while Min Woo Lee makes back-to-back birdies to get to 1-under. Lee is joined by Harrington and Migliozzi at 1-under as no-one has yet made a clear run.
None of the favourites have teed off yet and we're less than 45 minutes away from the return of Tiger Woods. Meanwhile, Olazabal's fast start has rather fallen off the rails and he's propping up the leaderboard at 5-over par.
HANDING OVER TO ELLIOTT HEATH LIVE FROM AUGUSTA NATIONAL
Right, that'll do from me today - I need some coffee and a lie down. I'm handing you over to the very capable hands of Elliott Heath who is live at Augusta National reporting from the media centre. It's a tough job but someone's got to do it, right? Have you had a pimento cheese sandwich yet Elliott?
Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow evening to round off Friday's action and I'll leave Elliott to introduce Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf in about half an hour!
THANKS DAN...
Thanks a lot Dan, appreciate you running well over your 3pm finish time - I had a good excuse as was at breakfast in the Augusta National clubhouse.
I have had about 1/4 of a Pimento Cheese sandwich and to be honest, it was horrible. I'm a 'Classic Chicken' kind of guy although the Masters Club and Ham & Cheese on Rye are also solid options albeit both are a bit too mustardy for my liking.
Anyway, back to the golf, and we have Tiger Woods coming up in 25 minutes. Tiger has completely changed this tournament and it really is a Tiger frenzy on the grounds here at Augusta. We'll have updates for you all day.
SCORING
Augusta is very wet but not too windy yet so I'm surprised by the scoring this morning. Of 29 players to have completed a hole, just three are under-par with Migliozzi and Higgs two-under and Min Woo Lee one-under.
TIGER'S SHOES
Woods is in a black pair of FJ Premiere Series Packards today along with black pants, a pink collarless shirt and black cap (thought I might as well tell you the entire outfit). He explained why he is wearing FootJoys earlier in the week in case you missed it.
TIGER OFF IN 5
CASEY OUT
TIGER'S OFF
Woods pushes his opening tee shot into the bunker right. He's officially back playing Major championship golf - what a return!
WOODS ACTUALLY AVOIDED THE BUNKER
TIGER'S 1st TEE SHOT:
And he's off! #themasters pic.twitter.com/JYxgLU7r1AApril 7, 2022
WOODS PARS
Tiger plays three very average golf shots down the first and manages to hole a clutch par save from around 10ft. He's back!
CLUB SNAP
Woah 😮 pic.twitter.com/aI6GDLm6lAApril 7, 2022
WOODS' PAR SAVE AT THE 1st
BIG par save at the 1st from Tiger #themasters pic.twitter.com/Rszd8wtExaApril 7, 2022
SCORING UPDATE
PAR-PAR START FOR WOODS
IT'S GETTING WINDY
LOWRY HITS THE PIN AT 4!
Shane Lowry just hit the pin on the 4th 😮pic.twitter.com/VQZBASHuA2April 7, 2022
PAR-PAR-PAR FOR WOODS
HIGGS TO -2
ANOTHER PAR FOR TIGER
Woods comes up short on the 4th and lags his putt up close for yet another par. Tough stretch has just started with 5, 6 and 7 to come before the par-5 8th where he'll be looking to pick up a birdie.
TIGER HITS A BEAUTY
After a 287 yard drive down the 5th, Woods nails a long iron from 218 yards to within 15ft for a great look at a rare birdie on one of Augusta's toughest holes. The crowd, and Tiger, liked that one.
WOODS 5th PAR IN A ROW
Meanwhile Woods' playing partner Louis Oosthuizen has had a mare on the 5th after going long with his second shot, eventually holing a good four-footer for double.
CAM SMITH CHIP-IN
Oh that's nice pic.twitter.com/gzq1CHnoKLApril 7, 2022
THE TIGER STEP
WOW TIGER!!
A 'cut' 6-iron into the par-3 6th nearly ended up in the hole - WOW! Woods' tee shot landed dead on line but just checked up to something like 3-4ft short. Amazing. He'll be moving to one-under-par.
OOSTHUIZEN HOLES A BOMB
TIGER WOODS IS UNDER PAR AT THE MASTERS
Didn't think we'd be writing that this time 10 days ago.
THAT TIGER SHOT...
TIGER!! pic.twitter.com/HBZzr0p5SHApril 7, 2022
TWO AT THE TOP
WOODS IN TROUBLE DOWN 7
First missed fairway of the day for Tiger who pushed a fairway wood into the trees. He's got 161 yards into the raised green with bunkers everywhere. Looks like he'll need some magic to make par.
TIGER MAGIC
I said we'd need to see some magic on the 7th for Tiger to make par and we just saw some. A pitch shot from about 25 yards up and over the bunker, to the back-right flag, finishes within two feet and it's the easiest of pars.
HANDING OVER TO SAM TREMLETT...
GOOD DAY EVERYONE
LOW ROUND FOR SPIETH INCOMING?
HOT START FOR KANAYA
RARE WEDGE ERROR FROM WOODS
Usually a wizard with wedge in his hands Woods hits two very poor wedges in a row, walking off with a bogey. He will be frustrated with that but one man who isn't today is JJ Spaun, making his Masters debut.
He said earlier;
"To be here, too, on my maiden trip to the Masters is incredible, and to be in the same field as him is just an honor, and it's something that I can say to my kids and grandkids for the rest of my life. You know, I competed against Tiger Woods at the Masters."
AUGUSTA PLAYING TOUGH
"I think the guys are going to have a tough afternoon, I think, if the wind picks up. We all know how difficult the golf course is when the wind blows here, and it's true that the greens are soft and that will make things a little bit easier, but I think Augusta is playing tough. You can see that by the scoreboard. There's not many guys under par."
TIGER GRIMACING AFTER TEE SHOT
NIEMANN HOLE OUT
FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE MASTERS?
Back to the golf Tiger makes a scrappy par on 9 and Schwartzel and Westwood get to two-under.
10TH HOLE IS MENTAL
Is it a cliche and obvious to talk about the elevation change at 10? Yes. Does that make it any less crazy? No. I walked down this at the start of the week and couldn't believe how far down the hole goes. The second shot is really tough too given the downhill/sidehill lie players face. Proving my point, Tiger, Oosthuizen and Niemann all miss the green.
BIG GROUPS ABOUT TO TEE OFF
Let's see how they fare with the tough conditions...
POOR FINAU...
Tiger does get up and down for par on 10 by the way. Nieman doesn't and drops into a share of the lead with Cameron Smith, Schwartzel and Lee Westwood.
SCHEFFLER INTO THE LEAD
11 IS ALWAYS A BEAST
All the talk before the tournament start was the changes to the 11th hole but just like every Masters it is playing incredibly tough indeed. So far there has only been one birdie at the hole. (I cannot seem to find who did so, but whoever that was, well done). The wind is very strong down there today as well and it doesn't get easier with 12 to come...
IM INTO THE LEAD
SHORT GAME WIZARDRY
One thing I think we all take for granted is how good the short games of the top players are. Shane Lowry for example just holed out for eagle on 13, with a shot I can only dream of playing!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
We have given you three in the image below so you are welcome!
OVATION FOR TIGER
All rise at Amen Corner. #themasters pic.twitter.com/pk4R5ATi0SApril 7, 2022
CONFIDENCE OF SCHEFFLER
Also Tiger's iron play continues to impress, hitting a great shot on 13. He will have an eagle shot of what looked to be around 20 feet or so.
LEADERBOARD UPDATE
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Apologies all but we had some technical issues with the blog but we are back in the game! Cameron Smith's putting seems to be perfect at the moment, Im is firing on all cylinders (shades of 2020), and Tiger's recovery play drew oohs and aahs from all in the media centre. That shot on 14, woah!
FASHION KLAXON
I believe the worst fashion choice of the day has been found, Viktor Hovland has decided to opt for pink pants with a white stripe down the seams. On the other hand I find Sandy Lyle's suspenders absolutely hilarious.
SMITH IS A FREIGHT TRAIN
And now six under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/zHt8jJTLSiApril 7, 2022
PADRAIG PRAISES AUGUSTA TEST
Playing at Augusta National for the first time in 7 years, Padraig Harrington shot a two-over 74, and he was very pleased with the test on offer from the course and conditions;
"Personally, I would like the test that is there right now all the time. A little bit of wind, but also a little bit of give in the greens. When it gets very firm and fast like Monday afternoon, I think that can be harder because sometimes you punish the good shots, whereas in these conditions you can really hit a good shot out there and make plenty of birdies. And the bad shots still, obviously, you have to hit shots. The bad shots are still getting punished. I really liked the test that was there today."
TIGER DROPS LONG RANGE BIRDIE
A Tiger roar on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/pylFuFM3PNApril 7, 2022
BIG NAMES STRUGGLING?
Also Matthew Wolff shot 81 and broke one of his clubs today, sheesh.
HANDING OVER TO ANDY WRIGHT
Hello there, I'll be steering this ship through to the finish buoyed by some kind words from Sam Tremlett, who is lucky enough to be out on the ground at Augusta National.
It's a sad update to begin as Fleetwood misses from short range to finish with a bogey and a three-over round of 75. He'll need to improve on that tomorrow if he's to give himself a chance come Sunday!
TIGER IN TROUBLE ON 18
DOUBLE BOGEY TO FINISH FOR SMITH
It's a disastrous finish for Cam Smith. He was out of position off the tee and gave himself an outside chance for par before three-putting for a costly double-bogey six. He still leads on his own at four-under but that'll hurt.
TIGER SAVES PAR ON 18
After 508 days out of competitive action following a fifth back operation and a car crash that almost cost him his right leg, a one-under 71 is an incredible effort. He's three shots off the lead as it stands with 18 holes in the book.
SCHEFFLER JOINS SMITH AT THE TOP
Here is the par save that got the Big Cat in the clubhouse at -1.
Speaking about the round, Woods said: "I'm proud of my whole team, we worked so hard. People have no idea how hard we worked. We never took a day off. That led me to this. Lo and behold here we are and as of right now I'm only three back.
"That was a good one [on 16]. I got a little teach from Louis' putt. I gave it an extra ball and a half and poured it in."
On what the recovery process is like nowadays, he added: "It's lots of treatment, lots of ice baths and shivering and suffering. It's awful but it allows me to recover. It's pre- and post-round the recoveries are getting longer. But my team has done an incredible job to get me to this point. I told them my adrenaline would kick in and I know how to play and how to play this golf course."
A par save to end the round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/oCkL7N54YbApril 7, 2022
RAHM BACK TO LEVEL PAR
The Spaniard's round has failed to ignite but a timely birdie to close out his front nine could get the ball rolling for the World No. 2.
DJ!
Dustin Johnson is showing his Masters credentials. The 2020 champion pours in a right-to-left slider from the front portion of the 10th green for a second consecutive birdie to join Smith at the top of the leaderboard.
Here's a closer look at the TaylorMade P7TW irons used by Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler to devastating effect. Hit the links below for a full rundown of their bag set-ups...
Tiger Woods what's in the bag?
Scottie Scheffler what's in the bag?
SMITH ASSESSES HIS OPENING ROUND
Speaking after his round, he said: "Yeah it was just really solid. A couple of bad tee shots on 1 and 18 and the a couple of wedge shots where we just didn't judge the wind right and before you know it, you're making six. This place will bite you on the bum really quick if you're not on all cylinders - the stuff in the middle was really good, though."
KOEPKA ON THE MOVE
After seven pars to start, that's back-to-back birdies for Brooks Koepka, who is looking to add a green jacket to his two US Open and two PGA Championship titles. He's seemed out of sorts this season but this would be the perfect place kick into gear.
SHANK ALERT
Who doesn't love seeing the pros hit a flat-out shank? It makes me feel alive, anyway. This was a real beauty from Macknezie Hughes on the 15th. The curse of the Par-3 competition is alive and well it seems...
pic.twitter.com/IwdpnHcuhFApril 7, 2022
IM-PRESSIVE
We have another name at the top of the leaderboard. Two mighty shots into the par-5 13th sets up an eagle for Sungjae Im, who joins DJ and Smith on -4.
MCILROY SAVES PAR AT 10
Who knows how big that could be for Rory McIlroy. He's struggled to get anything going since an early birdie at the second but saves par from around 20ft on the difficult 10th to remain level par.
SHOT OF THE DAY?
From the pine straw to mere feet. Eagle for Harold Varner III. #themasters pic.twitter.com/uA0U7jQbUTApril 7, 2022
ICYMI: TIGER RETURNS TO ACTION WITH ONE-UNDER 71
Here's more on the big story of day one as Tiger Woods once again defied the odds to return to Augusta National after 508 days to shoot -1. He's still just three behind the leading trio and will be out tomorrow afternoon as he looks to put himself in position for an unfathomable sixth green jacket.
RORY BACK IN THE RED
That's more like it from McIlroy. He joins the shortlist of players to make birdie on the 520-yard par-4 11th after draining a 25-footer. He'll be hoping to kick on and post an under-par opening round for the first time since 2018.
Elsewhere, Viktor Hovland bounces back from a double to return to level par with a tap-in birdie on the 12th.
NEW LEADER
A couple more birdies to close out his round and he'll beat his best ever round of 66 at Augusta National from the opening day in 2020.
SO CLOSE!
Viktor Hovland could hardly have come closer to making the first hole-in-one on Augusta's famous par-3 12th since 1988.
From 155 yards to nine inches. Viktor Hovland skillfully navigates hole No. 12. #themasters pic.twitter.com/5Y2w3jdzRHApril 7, 2022
SPIETH IN THE WARS
I'm not sure what I'm finding harder to look at: Jordan Spieth's new swing rehearsal or the ghastly shirt he's sporting at Augusta National today. While I work that out, he continues to struggle.
At +2, he's now found the water on 13 with his second shot and will do well to salvage a par.
CLOSING BOGEY FOR WESTWOOD
It's a respectable 72 to start for Lee Westwood after a closing bogey dropped him back to level par. Incidentally, it's his worst start to The Masters since 2015 but he remains in good position to make a run this week.
TIGER WOODS: 'JUST BASICALLY FREEZING MYSELF TO DEATH'
"Lots of ice baths. Just basically freezing myself to death," he said. Rather you than me, Tiger...
MUCH-NEEDED BIRDIE FOR RAHM
Jon Rahm makes a timely birdie on the 14th to get back to just +1 for the day. The Spaniard is on a run of 15 consecutive under-par rounds at The Masters, which is just one shy of the record held by Tiger Woods.
MORIKAWA ON THE MOVE
I knew there was a reason I'd backed Collin Morikawa. After a tentative opening 11 holes, the two-time Major champion is finally back to level par, with the American adding a birdie at the par-5 15th to the shot he picked up at the 12th.
Encouragingly, he's also stuck it to within 15ft on the 16th to get into red figures for the first time today.
CARELESS BOGEY FOR MCILROY
Is there a more frustrating golfer to watch than Rory McIlroy? I'm honestly sick of his nonsense. After battling hard to get back to one-under, two good shots on 14 set up another birdie chance for the Northern Irishman...
...Five minutes later, he's heading to the 15th tee at level par after a typically careless three-putt. A big four holes coming up for the 32-year-old methinks.
IM IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT -5
When it's going your way, it's going your way. After shortsiding himself in the greenside bunker on the right with his second to 18, Im's splash out is travelling at pace before hitting the hole and finishing within tap-in distance.
THREE BIRDIES IN FOUR FOR PATTY ICE
From nowhere, Patrick Cantlay is within three of the lead courtesy of three birdies in four holes. The latest has just come on the par-3 16th to the tricky back-right hole location.
Alongside Cantlay, it looks like Jon Rahm's under-par streak is about to come to an end. A bogey at 16 has the Spaniard +2 again and in danger of blowing himself out of green jacket contention.
BOGEY FOR DJ
Dustin Johnson makes his first bogey of the day after missing from 5ft on the difficult 17th to fall back into a tie for third on -3. A poor tee shot on the 18th leaves him with work to do to avoid finishing his round on a really sour note.
EXQUISITE TOUCH FROM JOHNSON
From wide left of the green on 18, Dustin Johnson manufactures a brilliant escape shot from within the galleries to crucially save par. The 2020 Masters champion will be satisfied with his day's work as he sits just two back after opening with a three-under 69.
PACE OF PLAY STRIKES AGAIN
We're nearing the five-hour mark since the group of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Matthew Ftizpatrick teed off. They're wandering up the 17th and I'm getting tired. Get on with it, folks.
PARS TO FINISH FOR RAHM AND CANTLAY; BOGEY FOR ZALATORIS
An excellent sand save from the right-hand bunker on 18 keeps Cantlay within two of the lead after a round of 69. A par for Rahm brings to an end a disappointing 74, while Zalatoris salvages a bogey to post a one-under 71.
The Spaniard has been on a troubling run of form and will need to find something early on Friday if he's to have a chance of slipping on the green jacket come Sunday evening.
ROUND 2 TEE TIMES
Check out the tee times for round two from Augusta National. Tiger Woods and Cam Smith feature among the late starters, while the likes of overnight leader Sungjae Im and Rory McIlroy will be out in the morning wave.
BOGEY TO FINISH FOR SPIETH
After a wayward tee shot, Jordan Spieth has to settle for a closing bogey and a two-over round of 74. Seven shots back, he'll need to get off to a flying start tomorrow, although I'm not sure his game is there. He continues to look uncomfortable with whatever it is he is working on.
BIRDIE FOR FITZPATRICK
The Englishman makes a steely birdie on the last to get into red figures at one-under and and the day in a tie for 10th. McIlroy's sand save salvages a disappointing one-over 73 that could have been better and also could have been worse. He'll certainly be hoping for the former when he resumes his quest for the career Grand Slam tomorrow.
SIGNING OFF
Anyway, that's all from me on a thrilling day of action from Augusta National. The big story, of course, is the incredible comeback of Tiger Woods. After 508 days out of action, he lit up the Masters with a one-under 71 that has him just four shots off the lead held by Sungjae Im.
Thanks for following along with us; we'll be back tomorrow to do it all over again!
