AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The Masters began Thursday at Augusta National with Justin Rose shooting a 7-under 65 to sit atop a star-studded leaderboard, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Ludvig Aberg and Corey Conners giving chase.
Rose reached 8 under before a bogey at the par-4 finishing hole, but he still matched his low round at Augusta National and held a three-shot lead over his closest pursuers. Scheffler fired a bogey-free 68 as he tries to become the youngest to win three green jackets since Jack Nicklaus, while Conners finished with consecutive birdies and Aberg birdied the 18th for their 68s.
Rory McIlroy was at 4 under before chipping into the water at the par-5 15th, leading to double bogey. He made another double at No. 17 and wound up at even par as he tries once again to claim the final leg of the career grand slam.
There are 95 players in the field, the largest in a decade, even without five-time champ Tiger Woods, who had surgery in March to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Last year, Woods set a record by making the cut for the 24th time in a row.
When is the Masters?
The second round begins at 7:40 a.m. EDT Thursday with Cameron Davis, Rafael Campos and Austin Eckroat first off. Rose tees off at 8:52 a.m., about an hour before McIlroy's group. Scheffler and Conners go off in the afternoon.
How can I watch the Masters?
The Masters stream on its website runs throughout the day with cameras highlighting holes and featured groups. The first two rounds are broadcast on ESPN beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday. CBS takes over Saturday and Sunday with coverage on its Paramount+ platform at noon and on the network beginning at 2 p.m.
What are the betting odds for the Masters?
Scheffler was the favorite after the opening round with 11-4 odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Aberg was next at 6-1, followed by Bryson DeChambeau and Rose at 15-2. McIlroy was 12-1 and Conners 18-1.
What happened Thursday at Augusta National?
Most of the game's big names were found somewhere on a stacked leaderboard following a first round that was played in pristine conditions, and yielded some low scores for those who managed to navigate Rae's Creek and the slick, undulating greens.
Rose matched the 65 that he opened with in 2021, when he finished seventh, while Scheffler methodically worked his way around the course. Conners and Aberg joined him three shots back of Rose after strong finishes, and U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton were another shot back at 2 under.
Fred Couples turned back time when the 1992 champion holed out for an eagle at the 14th, helping him shoot 71. The 65-year-old is the second-oldest player in Masters history to break par, a month younger than Tom Watson, who shot 71 in 2015.
What is the weat
her forecast?
After rain washed out Monday's practice round, the weather has been pristine at Augusta National. But there is a chance for overnight storms Thursday with rain that could linger into the early part of the day Friday.
What happened last year at the Masters?
Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday, keeping preternatural poise while his closest competitors faltered around Amen Corner, and finished with a four-shot victory over Masters newcomer Aberg for his second green jacket in three years.
Aberg was among four players who had a share of the lead on Sunday; he lost ground when his approach went into the pond left of the 11th hole and he made double bogey. Collin Morikawa had two double bogeys to fall out of the hunt, tying for third with Tommy Fleetwood and Max Homa, whose own double bogey from the bushes at the par-3 12th ruined his chances.
Woods closed with a 77 and finished at 16-over 304, the highest 72-hole score of his career.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Dave Skretta, The Associated Press
