The 2023 Masters Golf Tournament has finally kicked off at Augusta National, Georgia. The event began with more than a few surprises, and the first round was filled with exciting moments. Fans were thrilled to watch their favorite players hit the greens for the first time this year. The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious golf events, and players from around the world come to compete for the coveted Green Jacket. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the highlights of the opening round.
Tiger Woods returns to Augusta National
One of the biggest names in golf, Tiger Woods, returned to Augusta National after missing last year’s tournament due to an injury. Woods kicked off his first round at No. 1 and faced some challenges throughout his game. He finished his game with an overall score of 2over par and is hovering around the cut line at tied 54th place. The question remains whether he will be able to continue playing in the upcoming rounds.
Scottie Scheffler starts strong
Scottie Scheffler, last year’s defending champion, began his first round with an eagle on hole No. 2 and posted a clean and impressive bogey-free front nine. Scheffler is known for his exceptional skills in putting, chipping and overall control of ball flight. He showed that he still retains all those skills by finishing his first round with an overall score of 6under par.
Viktor Hovland takes lead
Viktor Hovland started strong by picking up an eagle on Hole No.2 and hitting several birdies but slowed down towards the end of his game with consecutive pars. Hovland finished his game with an overall score of 7under par to take an early lead on the leaderboard.
Cameron Young surges to the top
An underdog in the tournament, Cameron Young surprised everyone by birdying his first three holes and taking an early lead on the leaderboard. Young is new to the Masters Tournament, but he showed his talent early on by finishing his first round with an impressive overall score of 5-under par, putting him just two strokes behind the leader.
Will Zalatoris withdraws due to injury
One of last year’s top performers, Will Zalatoris, withdrew from this year’s tournament due to a back injury. Fans were looking forward to seeing what Zalatoris could bring to the game, but unfortunately, his injury pushed him out of competition. However, this left space for other players such as Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed who are currently tied at 1-under.
The weather forecast for the Masters Tournament
The weather has been warm and humid with a slight drizzle during the opening round. According to weather forecasts, there are chances of thunderstorms and rain showers in the upcoming rounds. The unpredictable weather conditions could add an extra challenge for golfers competing at Augusta National.
Honorary starters kick off the Masters Tournament
The traditional opening ceremony featured honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson hitting drives off the first tee. This is a custom that has been in place since 1963 and marks the official start of the tournament. As always, it was a momentous occasion that added to the excitement of this prestigious event.
Groupings and Tee Times announced
Another highlight of the opening day was the announcement of groupings and tee times for round one. Notable players such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm had early morning tee times starting from Hole No. 1.
The Masters Golf Tournament always brings excitement, drama and nail-biting moments as golfers compete on a legendary course. With multiple players tied at the leaderboard and unpredictable weather looming overhead, it’s anyone’s game. Fans can watch their favorite golfers live on ESPN+ while wall-to-wall coverage will be available on other media channels such as Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel and App, red button, Sky Q, and Sky Glass. The tournament promises to be even more thrilling in the upcoming rounds.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
