The 89th Masters has officially teed off, and you could almost taste the excitement before the first ceremonial drive. When legends like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson step onto that first tee, it’s not just tradition — it’s a nod to the tournament’s deep roots and a reminder that the Masters always brings something special.

Round one brought plenty to talk about. Justin Rose set the tone with a sharp 7-under that quickly put him in the spotlight. Not only does that give him a three-stroke cushion over the nearest contenders, it also plants him firmly at the center of the Masters spotlight yet again. 

Trailing not-too-far behind are the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners, and Ludvig Åberg, all tied at 4-under. While Rose’s brilliance is the headline, those big names in pursuit are itching to set their own tone.

On the flip side, not everyone had a sweet walk through the azaleas. Rory McIlroy — who looked poised to make a statement early — had a tough back stretch and ended up giving a few shots away in dramatic fashion. That’s the Masters, though: the course can be gorgeous and cruel in the same breath, and Round One made that painfully clear.

Justin Rose’s Blazing Start 

Anytime someone fires off a 65 in Round One of the Masters, you know it’s a special day. But when it’s Justin Rose doing it, especially given his history at Augusta, it starts feeling like fate might be in play. Rose is no stranger to being atop the leaderboard here — this is actually the fifth time he’s either led or shared the lead after the first round, which, in case you’re counting, is a record. 

That comfort was apparent right from the first hole. Rose kicked off his round with three straight birdies, and it felt like he was in total command of his swing. There was an unmistakable confidence in the way he walked down each fairway. The middle stretch was just as electric, with birdies popping up on holes 8 through 10. And then, just to seal the deal, he tacked on more at 15 and 16. In the blink of an eye, he found himself sitting at 8-under, prompting whispers of just how low he could go.

In his post-round comments, Rose was quick to point out that experience alone won’t guarantee smooth sailing. You might know which holes to attack and which to play conservatively, but you still have to execute every shot under the microscope. Still, his demeanor suggested he was pretty thrilled with how things went — and how could he not be? 

But when you’re a major winner and a perennial contender at Augusta, you learn to balance confidence with caution.

Top Contenders in Pursuit

While Rose is off to the races, he’s by no means sprinting alone. Three serious contenders sit just three strokes behind at 4-under. They're grouped up for now, but each one of these guys has their own story worth keeping an eye on.

Scottie Scheffler (T2, -4)

Scottie Scheffler is the world’s top-ranked golfer, and there’s a reason he's still the heavy betting favorite. With a round of 68 that was bogey-free, he showed the level of composure we’ve come to expect from him. This wasn’t just a random flash of brilliance, either — Scheffler’s proven himself time and again, already boasting three top-10 finishes this season. Add in that runner-up at the Houston Open, and you can see why he’s easy money on a lot of predictive charts.

What really jumps out about Scheffler’s round are the clutch putts. Nobody drains a 40-footer on 16 and a 62-footer on the fourth hole without either a great read or a cool head, and Scheffler seems to have both. In his post-round remarks, he acknowledged how the greens were already starting to firm up, something every player at Augusta eventually has to adapt to.

Corey Conners (T2, -4)

Right there alongside Scheffler is Corey Conners, who quietly carded his own 4-under 68. Conners is one of those guys you might’ve heard pegged as a “sleeper pick” heading into the Masters (we did), and he’s living up to that billing so far. He really caught fire near the end of his round, logging birdies on three of his last four holes.

Conners might not command the same star power as Scheffler, but he’s been on an upward trajectory over the last couple of seasons. He’s got the kind of ball-striking prowess that can be a serious weapon here. People sometimes overlook him, but at this point, those same people might want to start paying attention. If he keeps the momentum from those final holes going into Friday, he could be a legitimate problem for Rose.

Ludvig Åberg (T2, -4)

The third member of the 4-under club is Ludvig Åberg. He backed up a strong front nine with an even better back nine, posting four birdies coming in. Åberg made waves last year with a runner-up finish in his Masters debut, surprising everyone but himself. He then followed it up with a win at the Genesis earlier this year, proving he’s more than just a flash in the pan.

What stands out about Åberg is how relaxed and steady he looks out there, especially for a younger guy. You’d think he’s been through a few of these already. His approach shots were locked in, and any slip-ups he made were quickly corrected. If we’re looking for a breakout star to spoil Rose’s party, Åberg’s name deserves to be in the conversation. He’s got the firepower to contend, and he’s not lacking in the confidence department. For fans, it’s exciting to see a mix of established stars and rising talents chasing the lead.

All three of these guys — Scheffler, Conners, and Åberg — have proven they can handle the Masters spotlight. The question is, who can stay hot over the next three days? A single bogey-free round, even a fantastic one, doesn’t always translate into a jacket ceremony. However, each of them has shown enough game (and nerve) to show they’re not planning on letting Rose stroll to victory without a fight.

Rory McIlroy’s Late Meltdown

If you’d hit pause on Rory McIlroy’s round around the 13th hole, you might’ve assumed he’d finish near the top. He managed to climb to 4-under after a birdie on 13, and everything seemed lined up for a memorable first day. He’d also strung together back-to-back birdies on 8 and 9 earlier, which really helped him gain some momentum. For a moment, it felt like this could be the start of a major breakthrough.

But as Augusta so often does, it threw McIlroy a curveball he couldn’t quite handle. The 15th hole proved to be his undoing — an approach shot that found the water turned into a disastrous double bogey. That’s the kind of sequence that can take the wind right out of any golfer’s sails, and it certainly did for Rory. He never really seemed to recover from that point on.

Then, just when you thought maybe he could rally, the 17th hole came along and said, “Not today.” Another double bogey sank his round even further. Before you knew it, his day was effectively undone. He limped into the clubhouse with an even-par 72, finding himself tied for 27th, far from the position he thought he'd be in earlier in the afternoon.

Other Notable Performances 

While Rose, Scheffler, Conners, Åberg, and McIlroy took up a lot of the spotlight, Day One at the Masters always has its fair share of subplots — some riveting, some just downright puzzling. Let’s shine a light on a few.

Bryson DeChambeau (T5, -3) and Tyrrell Hatton (T5, -3)

In the LIV Golf realm, two names stood out today: Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, both ending the day at 3-under. DeChambeau had one of those rollercoaster rounds we’ve become accustomed to: a string of birdies, a few bogeys, and probably enough weird angles and lines to keep fans guessing what he’d do next. Word is he even squeezed in a late-night practice session, which is totally on brand for the guy.

Hatton, on the other hand, was a bit more steady, but that’s relative when you consider his usual fiery outbursts on the course. Finishing at 3-under is a solid day’s work at Augusta, especially in the first round. Sure, they’ve got some ground to cover if they want to catch Rose, but a 69 isn’t a bad starting spot.

Fred Couples (T11, -1)

If you’re looking for a heartwarming story, look no further than Fred Couples. At 65 years young, he dropped a 1-under 71 on the field, reminding everyone that he’s still got a little magic left in the bag. The highlight? A 191-yard eagle on the 14th hole that nearly brought the house down. After all, how often do you see someone in their mid-60s pulling off that kind of heroics? He’s now the second-oldest player to shoot under par at the Masters, which is no small feat. The roars that followed that eagle were some of the loudest of the day, showing just how much Augusta appreciates its legends.

Collin Morikawa (T27, E)

Morikawa, who has built a reputation as one of the best iron players on the planet, had a quietly eventful day. He briefly led the tournament after an early eagle on the 13th. It looked like he might capitalize on that momentum, but he couldn’t maintain the pace down the stretch. Still, finishing even par is hardly a disaster. If his irons stay dialed in, he can easily make a move in Round Two or Three.

Nicolai Hojgaard (T73, +4)

For a hot second, Nicolai Højgaard was tied for the lead and looked poised to make some serious noise. But Augusta’s a fickle beast, and it took him on quite the ride. By the end of the day, he found himself signing for a 76. Chalk it up to nerves, the unpredictable nature of the course, or maybe just a bad break or two. Regardless, it’s a reminder that in a single round of major championship golf, you can go from hero to heartbreak in a hurry.

Bernhard Langer’s Finale (T51, +2)

Bernhard Langer has been a Masters fixture for decades, and this is his 41st and reportedly final appearance. At 2-over, he’s not exactly in the hunt, but considering his age and the longevity of his career, it’s a treat just to see him out there. Langer’s been one of the steadiest guys in the game for decades, and seeing him take one last stroll around Augusta is going to hit home for a lot of longtime fans.

Ken Griffey Jr. on the Scene

Last but certainly not least, baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. was spotted working as a photographer at the event. If you needed any more proof that the Masters is a spectacle for sports icons of all kinds, there you have it. Seeing a legendary ballplayer trade in his bat for a camera was one of those cool little side stories that make you appreciate the unique aura of Augusta.

Looking Ahead to Round Two

As the sun sets on an action-packed first day, all eyes turn to Round Two. If you’re a golf junkie, you’re probably already scanning the tee times to see who’s paired with whom. Though we haven’t seen an official second-round pairing roster, you can bet that groupings featuring Rose, Scheffler, and the rest of the contenders will draw massive followings. A ton of players are hovering around that even-par or 1-over range, which means the line between making the cut and heading home early could be razor-thin.

Speaking of the cut, it’s always a hot topic after Day One. If you’re sitting around 2-over or 3-over, Friday might be your last stand. Expect a sense of urgency from guys who realize that every missed fairway or three-putt could be the difference between a Saturday morning tee time and an abrupt exit from Magnolia Lane.

Another wildcard? Weather. Rumor has it there could be some rain rolling in on Thursday night, which might soften the course. That could make things a little easier out there, especially if the greens stay soft enough to hold approach shots. But as we know, if the rain is paired with swirling winds, all bets are off.

Historically, you want to be within a few shots of the lead heading into the weekend at the Masters. Most winners have been lurking near the top after 36 holes, which is why Round Two can be so pivotal. If Rose can go out there and replicate his first-round magic, he’ll build a fortress around that lead. But if he stumbles, there are at least half a dozen players waiting to take advantage.

For the fans, Round Two often clarifies the storylines. Is Rory McIlroy done, or does he have a heroic comeback in store? Will someone like Collin Morikawa or Fred Couples make a charge and turn heads? Could Bryson DeChambeau’s unorthodox approach pay dividends? Or is this setting up for a vintage major performance by Scheffler? That’s what makes the Masters so fun — you never really know how it’s going to shake out.