Scottie Scheffler starts Masters with a one-under-par 70
Scottie Scheffler posted a one-under-par 70 during Thursday’s opening round at The Masters, positioning himself five strokes adrift of pacesetter Rory McIlroy, reports BritPanorama.
The world number one began brilliantly, reaching three-under through just two holes before the challenging Augusta National conditions halted his momentum.
Despite trailing the leader, the two-time Masters champion expressed contentment with his performance. “I feel like I played really solid,” Scheffler said. He added, “There were a few putts I felt like I made that lipped out or stayed right on the edge. But other than that, really, really a lot of good stuff.”
The American acknowledged that the afternoon presented significant obstacles, stating, “It got so firm late in the day. It was pretty challenging.” Scheffler highlighted his consistent ball-striking throughout the round, noting he drove the ball well and produced several impressive iron shots.
Augusta National’s greens became increasingly firm as the afternoon progressed, with the world number one facing some of the toughest conditions having been drawn in the final group. When asked about the challenges of playing late in the day, Scheffler pointed to factors affecting course conditions. “The golf course gets firmer. The greens get a little more chewed up,” he explained.
He also noted the increased foot traffic on putting surfaces from players reading their lines throughout the day. However, Scheffler remained philosophical about the scheduling disadvantage, accepting it as part of tournament golf. “Going out late is typically going to be harder than going out early, but that’s just part of it,” he said. “I get to go a little bit earlier tomorrow, so get home, get some rest, and start over.”
The 15th hole proved particularly treacherous during Thursday’s play, with Scheffler’s group encountering considerable difficulties. Both Scheffler and playing partner Gary Woodland flew the green with their approach shots after laying up, while Robert MacIntyre managed to putt his ball off the putting surface entirely. Remarkably, all three players salvaged par despite their predicaments.
As the tournament progresses, the pressures of Augusta National are ever-present, reminding players that on this stage, even small mistakes can lead to significant consequences. One round down, and already the narrative is starting to unfold. The Masters remains a testament to both skill and resilience.
