Augusta, GA – The azaleas were in full bloom and the air crackled with anticipation as Augusta National welcomed the world’s best golfers for the opening round of the 89th Masters Tournament. Under a clear Georgia sky, with temperatures climbing to a balmy 74 degrees, the stage was set for a day of brilliance, heartbreak, and surprises that would etch the first chapter of this year’s quest for the green jacket into golfing lore.
Justin Rose, the 44-year-old Englishman with a penchant for Augusta’s challenges, stole the spotlight. He navigated the course with the precision of a seasoned artist, carding a near-flawless 7-under-par 65 to seize a three-shot lead. Rose’s round was a masterclass in control, featuring eight birdies against a lone bogey on the 18th. His putter was particularly lethal, gaining over five strokes on the field — a performance that had patrons buzzing and oddsmakers recalibrating.
For Rose, who’s led after the first round at Augusta a record five times, the day felt like a continuation of his love affair with the course, though he knew from past near-misses that three rounds remained to finally claim the elusive green jacket.
“Today I chunked the golf course in my mind, little mini targets, mini goals,” said Rose. “And that’s the way I approached the day, and that’s going to be the approach tomorrow and the approach on Saturday and the approach on Sunday.”
Hot on Rose’s heels was a trio at 4-under 68: defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Canada’s Corey Conners, and last year’s runner-up, Ludvig Aberg.
Scheffler, the world No. 1, played with the quiet confidence of a man who’s donned the green jacket twice before. His bogey-free round included a jaw-dropping 62-footer for birdie on the 4th and a 40-foot dagger on the 16th, signaling that his quest for a third title in four years was very much alive.
“Anytime you’re able to get into contention I think it’s a lot of fun,” said Scheffler. “I think obviously I wish I would have performed better over the weekend to be walking away with the trophy, but man, we played some great golf two weeks ago, and it was nice to put myself back in it and kind of have some fun.”
Conners, meanwhile, caught fire late, birdieing three of his final four holes to post an early clubhouse lead, while Aberg’s steady play reaffirmed his status as one of golf’s rising stars.
The leaderboard wasn’t short on star power. LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and England’s Tyrrell Hatton each posted 3-under 69, sitting four shots back.
DeChambeau, ever the showman, thrilled the crowd with bold drives and a birdie flurry on the back nine, while Hatton’s round was a rare sub-70 opener at Augusta, hinting at a potential breakthrough.
“Great start,” said DeChambeau. “Anytime you’re under par at the Masters, it’s an honor to be there, give myself a good chance going into the weekend.
“Tomorrow is going to be another great test, and hopefully I can set myself up on Saturday and give myself a chance on Sunday.”
Australia’s Min Woo Lee and Jason Day, along with Cameron Smith, also cracked the top 10, ensuring the international contingent kept pace.
But for every tale of triumph, Augusta dealt its share of heartbreak. Rory McIlroy, the world No. 2, chasing the career Grand Slam, looked poised to rewrite his Masters narrative early on. At 4-under through 14 holes, he was in the hunt, his drives splitting fairways and his irons dialed in. Then came the 15th, where a cautious chip shot went horribly awry, racing off the green and into the water for a double bogey. The wounds deepened on the 17th with another double after a wayward approach and a missed putt.
McIlroy’s even-par 72 left him tied for 27th, seven shots off Rose’s pace, and once again staring down the ghosts of Augusta’s back nine.
Elsewhere, the day belonged to the veterans as much as the young guns. Fred Couples, at 65, turned back time with a 1-under 71, highlighted by a stunning hole-out eagle from 191 yards on the 14th. The 1992 champion’s score outshone younger stars like Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, who struggled to find rhythm.
Bernhard Langer, in his final Masters at 67, also hung around at 1-under through much of the day, proving age was no barrier to Augusta’s magic.
Not everyone left the course smiling. Nick Dunlap etched his name in the record books for the wrong reasons, carding a 90 — the highest score by a player under 50 since 1956. His round, marred by triple and double bogeys, was a brutal reminder of Augusta’s unforgiving nature. Others, like Tommy Fleetwood (+1) and Jon Rahm (+3) limped to over-par rounds, while Sepp Straka’s 6-over 78 left him with a mountain to climb.
As the sun dipped below the pines and the final groups walked off the 18th, the leaderboard told a story of contrasts. Rose stood alone at the summit, his 7-under a beacon of excellence. Scheffler loomed dangerously, his bogey-free day a warning to the field. McIlroy’s collapse cast a shadow over his Grand Slam dreams, while Couples and Langer reminded everyone why Augusta reveres its elders. With three rounds to go, the 2025 Masters was already shaping up as a battle of grit, skill, and redemption—one that promised more twists before the green jacket found its new home.
2025 Masters Tournament Leaderboard
Masters Top 10: Round 1
Pos-Player-To Par (Score)
1. Justin Rose -7 (65)
2. Corey Conners -4 (68)
2. Scottie Scheffler -4 (68)
2. Ludvig Aberg -4 (68)
5. Tyrrell Hatton -3 (69)
5. Bryson DeChambeau -3 (69)
7. Aaron Rai -2 (70)
7. Jason Day -2 (70)
7. Harris English -2 (70)
7. Akshay Bhatia -2 (70)
Credits: Getty Images, Masters, X, PGA Tour
