The Masters – R1

April 11-14
Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia
$11,000,000
Live leaderboard
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4

© Getty Images

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Bryson DeChambeau produced an incredible finish, posting four closing birdies to share the lead with Brooks Koepka at six under par the end of day one at the Masters Tournament.

A remarkable run of scoring in the late groups stretched the field at Augusta National Golf Club, with DeChambeau amongst a host of European Tour players in the mix going into Friday at the first Major Championship of the year.

“It’s my best round out here, a 66. I was just looking to shoot something in the 60s this week because I haven’t done that yet in my couple times playing here.

“What a magical back nine. Wind started to pick up, right around Amen Corner, and it was tough. It was not easy one bit. But we just stuck to what we knew we should have done, and we did, and was able to execute a beautiful nine iron on 12 that kind of jump started my back nine, hitting it to five feet, making that putt got me rolling.

“Should have pulled the flagstick out (on the 18th ). But no, it was a great shot, and I was excited just to tap‑in to finish off a great round.”

Debutant Justin Harding of South Africa was one of the players who had set the target at three under par early in the day and for a long time it looked like there would be a highly congested leaderboard as a nine way tie for the lead developed.

“I was happy with it, I handled my emotions pretty well, a bit annoying on the last making bogey. But at the end of the day I’ll take it.

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“Golf is purely momentum based. If you take enough confidence into the rounds then you’re bound to play well just pretty much need to get out of your own way. I’ll take it and run if I can ‑‑ we’re not allowed to run here at Augusta ‑‑ but I’m pleased.

“It’s one of those where I gave myself a couple chances, I didn’t feel like I took great advantage of the par fives. I managed to hit a wedge close in on 16 but other than that it was one of those where you just kind of sneak in a birdie here or there where you can. Managed to hit a couple of fairways. I’m still learning and this golf course is difficult.”

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But four birdies in a row from the 12th hole from Koepka moved the three-time Major Champion to six under par and into a two shot lead. DeChambeau’s incredible finish saw him catch his fellow American, thanks in part to a wonderful second shot on the 18th where he was only denied an eagle by the pin flag. He signed for a 66 – his best round at Augusta National – and Koepka parred his way home to record the only bogey free round of the day and share top spot.

Three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson birdied five of his last seven holes to sit one shot off the lead at five under par, a shot clear of fellow American Dustin Johnson and England’s Ian Poulter.

“I’m very happy with today’s work,” said Poulter.”It’s a great start to a long week. The weather is going to be interesting over the next three days with the thunderstorms coming in. 

“The course dried out nicely today. A couple of greens may have been a touch slower than what we’ve previously had in the past on a Thursday. But I’m happy with that and feel pretty good about it.

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“My whole game was together, from the first hole to the 18th hole. I mean I only missed two greens in regulation, I think. One of them was 9. I made bogey there. And the other green I missed I was kind of 12 feet from the pin and just on the fringe. So really my putting all around today was extremely solid. I need to do that over the next few days.”

Harding – who has won five times worldwide in the last year, including his maiden European Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters – is joined at three under par by Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Kevin Kisner of the United States, Australian Adam Scott and Spain’s Jon Rahm.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, who is also making his Masters debut, and The Open champion Francesco Molinari are amongst a group of 10 players at two under par.

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Pos.	Player	To Par	R1
T1	Bryson DeChambeau	-6	66
T1	Brooks Koepka	-6	66
3	Phil Mickelson	-5	67
T4	Ian Poulter	-4	68
T4	Dustin Johnson	-4	68
T6	Justin Harding	-3	69
T6	Adam Scott	-3	69
T6	Jon Rahm	-3	69
T6	Kiradech Aphibarnrat	-3	69
T6	Kevin Kisner	-3	69
T11	Corey Conners	-2	70
T11	J.B. Holmes	-2	70
T11	Lucas Bjerregaard	-2	70
T11	Gary Woodland	-2	70
T11	Tiger Woods	-2	70
T11	Rickie Fowler	-2	70
T11	Cameron Smith	-2	70
T11	Patton Kizzire	-2	70
T11	Francesco Molinari	-2	70
T11	Jason Day	-2	70
T21	Tony Finau	-1	71
T21	Charley Hoffman	-1	71
T21	Louis Oosthuizen	-1	71
T21	Tommy Fleetwood	-1	71
T21	Kevin Na	-1	71
T21	Thorbjorn Olesen	-1	71
T21	Bernhard Langer	-1	71
T21	Matt Kuchar	-1	71
T29	Andrew Landry	E	72
T29	Keith Mitchell	E	72
T29	Kevin Tway	E	72
T29	Mike Weir	E	72
T29	Si Woo Kim	E	72
T29	Branden Grace	E	72
T29	Emiliano Grillo	E	72
T29	Kyle Stanley	E	72
T29	Viktor Hovland (a)	E	72
T29	Webb Simpson	E	72
T29	Marc Leishman	E	72
T29	Haotong Li	E	72
T29	Jimmy Walker	E	72
T29	Billy Horschel	E	72
T29	Bubba Watson	E	72
T44	Takumi Kanaya (a)	1	73
T44	Charles Howell III	1	73
T44	Sergio Garcia	1	73
T44	Patrick Reed	1	73
T44	Xander Schauffele	1	73
T44	Rory McIlroy	1	73
T44	Sandy Lyle	1	73
T44	Martin Kaymer	1	73
T44	Alvaro Ortiz (a)	1	73
T44	Jovan Rebula (a)	1	73
T44	Rafa Cabrera Bello	1	73
T44	Tyrrell Hatton	1	73
T44	Patrick Cantlay	1	73
T44	Justin Thomas	1	73
T58	Eddie Pepperell	2	74
T58	Henrik Stenson	2	74
T58	Devon Bling	2	74
T58	Trevor Immelman	2	74
T58	Zach Johnson	2	74
T63	Adam Long	3	75
T63	Aaron Wise	3	75
T63	Brandt Snedeker	3	75
T63	Danny Willett	3	75
T63	Hideki Matsuyama	3	75
T63	Matt Wallace	3	75
T63	Alex Noren	3	75
T63	Satoshi Kodaira	3	75
T63	Justin Rose	3	75
T63	Jordan Spieth	3	75
T73	Michael Kim	4	76
T73	Stewart Cink	4	76
T73	Keegan Bradley	4	76
T73	Shugo Imahira	4	76
T77	Kevin O’Connell	5	77
T77	Charl Schwartzel	5	77
T77	Larry Mize	5	77
T80	Shane Lowry	6	78
T80	Fred Couples	6	78
T80	Jose Maria Olazabal	6	78
T80	Matthew Fitzpatrick	6	78
T84	Ian Woosnam	8	80
T84	Vijay Singh	8	80
86	Paul Casey	9	81
87	Angel Cabrera	10	82