The Spanish Jon Rahm, in action in the traditional Georgian tournament. (Getty Images/AFP)
The Spanish Jon Rahm, one of the favorites for the title, and the Norwegian Viktor Hovland shared the first position of the 87th Augusta Masters at the start of this emblematic tournament on Thursday, with Tiger Woods following them from afar after an irregular route.
rahmcurrent number 3 of the circuit PGAstunned in the opening round at the Augusta National Golf Club (Georgia) by recovering brilliantly from a double bogey committed on the first hole.
Quickly forgetting the blow, the Spaniard immediately rebuilt himself with three birdies. Later he achieved a eagle on the eighth hole thanks to an exceptional approach shot that gave him a five-foot putt.
The Spaniard, one of the fittest golfers with three titles this yearadded others four birdies in the second half of the tour to finish with 65 shots, seven under par.
No player before Rahm had finished a round of the Masters with a lower score after committing a double bogey on the first hole.
Nor has anyone won the tournament after such a start, a mark that Rahm will try to strike down on Sunday to put on his long-awaited first green jacket.
Matched with ‘Rahmbo’ was the Norwegian Hovlandwho bettered his previous best round at a Grand Slam by one stroke.
The 25-year-old promise from Oslo got off to a flying start with a spectacular eagle on the second hole and then pocketed five birdies in a bogey-free first round.
Hovland is a rising figure on the PGA tour, reaching number 3 last year, but has yet to make his first big blow at a ‘Major’, where his best result is fourth place at the British Open in 2022.
With dozens of players still on the pitch, the Chilean Joaquin Niemannone of 18 golfers on the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, was just three shots off the top after completing his first half of the round.
jagged woods
Competing in the Hovland group, Tiger Woods He was the great center of attention of the thousands of fans present, as always happens in his few participations in the circuit.
Woods, 47, appeared in dark blue pants and a light shirt on the scene of some of his greatest feats, ready to continue dreaming of a sixth crown that equals the record of the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
To his disappointment and that of his followers, Tiger committed three bogeys on his first seven holes, although he made up some ground with a birdie in the eighth, where he was about to sign an eagle chip.
In the second half he picked up some speed with two birdies in a row on hoys 15 and 16 but a bogey on the last hole left him with a card 74 hits (+2) in provisional 54th place.
Woods competes with a limp as a visible sequel to his serious car accident in 2021. His greatest difficulty continues to be completing the long walks required in these tournaments, but this Thursday the Californian star withdrew from the field at a good pace and suffered his biggest problems with the putt.
Temperatures at Augusta National Golf Club (Georgia) were around 30ºC but rain is forecast to arrive this weekend which could affect the programme.
opposing circuits
This Masters is the first time that the best ranked players on the circuits have met in Augusta PGA and LIV Golflocked in a fierce legal battle for months.
The PGA has barred players from LIV Golf, the organization launched last year with the financial powerhouse of Saudi Arabia, from participating in its tournaments.
And this same Thursday, just hours before the action began in Augusta, a London court ruled against LIV golfers in a dispute with the DP World Tour, the European circuit.
Far from the disputes in the courts, the golfers of both circuits have stressed that all their attention this week is focused on the fight for the green jacket.
One of the most followed is the American scottie schefflerwho aspires to become the fourth player to win two consecutive Masters.
The world number 1 is the favorite of the bookmakers and this Thursday he had a solid start with a partial -2 after his first seven holes.
A victory on Sunday would join his name with Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only champions to have repeated triumphs at Augusta.
On the side of the 18 participating LIV Golf rebels there are also candidates with credentials.
the australian cameron smithcurrent British Open champion, finished his first round with -2 and the American brooks koepkawinner of four Grand Slam trophies, stalked the head with a partial -4.
