Hovland Leads First Round of the Masters
The first round of the 2021 Masters golf tournament began on a sunny day at Augusta National, with Viktor Hovland from Norway taking the lead. Hovland shot an impressive 7-under-par 65, giving him a two-shot lead over Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama.
Woods Struggles to Keep Up
Tiger Woods, a five-time champion, played in the same group as Hovland but struggled to keep up, finishing nine shots behind Hovland at 2-over par. Woods had a rollercoaster round, finishing with birdies on holes 8, 15, and 16 but bogeys on holes 11 and 18.
Other Players Impress
Ryan Fox had a steady start with five pars, a birdie and a bogey in his first Masters tournament. Xander Schauffele also played well with an opening round of 68, tying him for sixth place.
Zalatoris Withdraws Due to Injury
Will Zalatoris withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury after previously withdrawing from another tournament with a stomach bug. His absence was felt as he had been playing well leading up to the Masters.
Garcia Defends LIV Players
Sergio Garcia, a former champion, dispelled rumors of tension between LIV and PGA Tour players at the Masters. He stated that things have been “totally normal” and that everyone has been respectful and focused on their game.
Exciting Storylines at This Year’s Masters
The 2021 Masters teed off with several compelling storylines, including the renegade LIV tour and their impact on traditional golf tournaments, Scottie Scheffler’s bid for a second straight green jacket, an elongated 13th hole, and the presence of golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Players Share Thoughts on First Round
After completing their first round, players shared their thoughts on their performance at Augusta National. Matthew McClean was happy with his 5-over score, calling it a sign of playing well. Kevin Kisner thought the golf course was easier than in previous years. Louis Oosthuizen is struggling with his game but is happy to be back at the Masters.
Mize and Lyle Commended for Their Play
Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle announced that this year’s tournament will be their last Masters, and they were commended for their fine play over four decades.
Golf Ball Modifications Discussed
Golf ball modifications were a big topic this week at Augusta National, with a USGA and R&A proposal for a modified local rule rolling back the ball. Players are keeping an eye on the weather forecast, as rain is expected to move through on Friday and drop temperatures into the 50s.
Mickelson, DeChambeau, and Koepka Set to Tee Off
Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka are set to tee off later in the day, adding more excitement to an already thrilling tournament.
In conclusion, the first round of the 2021 Masters golf tournament has provided plenty of excitement, with Viktor Hovland leading the way and several other players impressing. The tournament has also been filled with interesting storylines, from the LIV tour to golf ball modifications. With more big names set to tee off in the coming days, there is sure to be even more action and drama at Augusta National.
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