The 2023 Masters Tournament kicked off on Thursday with an exciting start as Kevin Na and 2003 champion Mike Weir teed off first in the opening round at Augusta National Golf Club. The traditional opening ceremony featured honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson hitting drives off the first tee to the delight of the spectators.
However, all eyes were on Tiger Woods, who is participating in the tournament while rehabilitating his leg. Woods finished his first round at 2-over-par with a bogey on No. 18. His caddie, Joe LaCava, stated that if there were multiple rounds to be played in a single day due to inclement weather, Woods would struggle due to his injuries.
Viktor Hovland leads after first round
Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland finished his round at 7-under and is the overall leader of the tournament after making two straight birdies at Nos. 8 and 9, giving him a two-shot lead over Shane Lowry. Brooks Koepka recorded consecutive birdies at Nos. 7 and 8 and finished the front-nine bogey-free at 4-under. Defending champ Scottie Scheffler recorded an eagle on the second hole.
Withdrawals and injuries plague the field
Unfortunately, not all players made it through the first round unscathed. Will Zalatoris withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury, while Kevin Na withdrew after nine holes due to illness.
Despite these setbacks, there are still many stars in the field, including last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler and three-time champ Phil Mickelson. John Rahm made consecutive birdies at No. 15 and 16 to move up the leaderboard, while former winners Mike Weir and Louis Oosthuizenare among those atop the early leaderboard at 1-under-par.
Television coverage and streaming options available
CBS Sports is offering live coverage of the Masters from start to finish on Thursday, with streaming options available through Featured Groups, Amen Corner, and Holes 15 & 16 channels. TV coverage will also be available on ESPN and Masters.com, with post-round highlights on CBS and Paramount+.
Golfers battle inclement weather
However, the tournament could face a challenge due to inclement weather throughout the weekend. The forecast in Augusta, Georgia calls for a 50% chance of morning showers on Friday, with rain increasing to 70% in the afternoon and the possibility of scattered thunderstorms. The forecast projects a 90% chance of heavy rain on Saturday, accumulating 0.75-1.5 inches, and a 50% chance of morning showers on Sunday.
If rounds are suspended due to bad weather, it could pose additional challenges for Tiger Woods. His caddie believes that completing 72 holes is still a challenge for Woods and playing more than 18 holes in a day could make the task even harder.
Masters officials criticized for sportswashing scheme
Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, Masters officials are facing criticism for giving into Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing scheme by hosting an event in their country. Many feel that this move contradicts the tournament’s tradition and values.
In conclusion, as the 2023 Masters Tournament unfolds, golf enthusiasts are looking forward to seeing who will come out on top despite injury setbacks and inclement weather conditions. In addition to rooting for their favorite players, fans will be closely monitoring how officials respond to criticism of their decision to host an event in Saudi Arabia.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
