The first round of the 2023 Masters golf tournament kicked off on Thursday at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The traditional opening ceremony had honorary starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson hitting drives off the first tee. Kevin Na and Mike Weir teed off first, followed by some of the biggest names in the sport.
Early Leaders
Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm are currently tied for the lead after shooting impressive rounds of 7-under 65. Hovland increased his lead with two straight birdies at No. 8 and 9 and is currently at 5-under for the tournament, two shots ahead of Scott Stallings who finished his round at 2-under. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler recorded an eagle and is off to a hot start.
Tiger Woods Struggling
All eyes were on Tiger Woods as he played his first round in the tournament. However, he struggled with his form and finished his first round at 2-over par with a bogey on No. 18. Woods recorded his first birdie on No. 8 and finished his front nine at 2-over, clearly struggling with his game.
Other Notable Performances
Xander Schauffele played well and is tied for sixth place at -3, while Brooks Koepka recorded consecutive birdies at Nos. 7 and 8 and sits at 4-under par. Amateur golfer Sam Bennett of Texas A&M started with a birdie-eagle and is currently at -3 as well.
Withdrawals
Unfortunately, there were two withdrawals from the tournament due to injuries. Will Zalatoris withdrew due to a back injury, while Kevin Na withdrew after just nine holes due to illness.
Future of the Tournament
Many are wondering if this will be Tiger Woods’ last Masters tournament, as the golfing legend is still recovering from a car crash and is unsure of how much longer he will be able to compete. However, fans flocked to see him on the practice tee before his round.
Controversy Surrounding LIV Golf
The European tour recently won a case against LIV Golf, a rival golf league backed by Saudi Arabians. The ruling allows them to impose fines on players who compete in the rival league without permission. While LIV Golfers are eligible to play in the Masters, Augusta National Golf Club is receiving criticism for giving into Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing scheme.
Final Thoughts
The first round of the 2023 Masters tournament provided some exciting moments for fans, but also raised some questions about the future of the sport. As players continue to play their rounds, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the leader heading into the weekend. The tournament will be broadcast live on ESPN and CBS, and all coverage can be streamed online.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
