It was nearly a throwback, a day that brought into play the three main characters from the final round of the 2020 Masters — Dustin Johnson, Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith.
After the thrill of Tiger Woods in the morning, there were birdies to be had in the afternoon and by day’s end at the 86th Masters, 2020 co-runner-up Sungjae Im was at the top of the iconic scoreboard with a five-under par 67.
Im credited his birdie-birdie-birdie start for his strong performance. “Getting off to a hot start helped,” said the ball-striking machine from South Korea. He’s the first player from his country to lead a round at The Masters. He said he wanted to “stay humble.” Im knows one round doesn’t win a Green Jacket. “I still have three days left to play.”
After those three birdies, he added another at the seventh and made the turn four-under to put his name atop the leaderboard. He stumbled with bogeys at 10 and 11 but got himself back to four-under with a perfect drive at 13 then a hybrid that left him with a 10-foot uphiller for eagle and he sank it. At 15, he hit a wedge third shot to 12-feet and made that. Three pars to finish and he was the solo leader.
Smith should have been. He’s in with 68 and played the best 16 holes of anyone in the field. Sixteen because he started with a double at the first and finished with a double at 18. Two doubles were costly but he still sits solo second at four-under.
Then there’s 2020 champion D.J., who finished five clear of Im and Smith 17 months ago. D.J. was bogey-free for his round until he missed a six-footer for par at 17. On this first day, no one went bogey-free in the 90-man field.
“Felt like I played really solid. Made a lot of quality golf shots. It was tough out there this afternoon with the wind,” was Johnson’s assessment of his day’s work. He’s been trending up a bit lately and added: “It’s starting to come around.”
He was one of four players at three-under with former champion Danny Willett resurfacing. Young Joaquin Niemann, who was thrilled to play with Tiger Woods, put on an impressive show and finished as one of only a half-dozen players who broke 70. There’s one huge name in that group — world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler put together one of the solid displays on day one. It was mostly stress free and bogey-free until he missed the 18th fairway left and missed the green long left. He didn’t get-up-and down and made his only bogey to finish the day.
It was a day where many big names found the going tough.
Justin Thomas obviously didn’t learn enough from his practice rounds with Tiger Woods. J.T. signed for a sloppy 76. Brooks Koepka, who claims he’ll equal or pass Tiger’s 15 majors, shot a major-less 75 that included a 41 on the back nine. Jordan Spieth was all over the place on his way to 74. World No. 2 Jon Rahm was pretty unimpressive and signed for 74. Xander Schauffele shot 74 as did former Masters winners Patrick Reed and Adam Scott.
World No. 4 Patrick Cantlay kept himself in it with a 70.
Dude Imperfect — Bryson Shoots 76:
Perhaps in a moment of weakness, ANGC Chairman Fred Ridley gave the okay for the clowns from something called “Dude Perfect” to desecrate Amen Corner — playing the holes with frisbees, soccer balls, baseballs and putting with croquet mallets. Somewhere Bobby Jones was rolling over in his grave. Bryson DeChambeau decided to join them in that clownish foray and perhaps it was karma getting back at Bryson. DeChambeau shot 76 on Thursday.
Dude Imperfect!
Tom Watson Gives Short Speech:
In the drizzling rain, Tom Watson joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to hit the first tee shots to open the 86th Masters. Of course Player, after his drive, gave one of those egotistical leg kicks just to show what good shape he’s in. Nicklaus bent over to tee his ball and joked “Want to do this without falling over!” He pegged it and declared: “Yessss!”
Then Watson followed with that classic swing of his. He hit it, turned to Chairman Ridley and asked: “May I say something?” Of course. “I would like to say how honored I am to be with Gary and Jack.”
