Former world No1s Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy provided the prospect of a mouthwatering Augusta duel after both fired themselves into Masters contention with powerful opening rounds.
American Spieth, who donned the Green Jacket in 2015, bogeyed the 18th but still finished the day with a six-under-par 66, which gave him a two-shot lead over fellow countrymen Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar.
McIlroy, bidding for a career grand slam in Georgia, was three strokes behind Spieth and ensconced in a seven-way tie for fourth – a group which included birthday boy Henrik Stenson and Spains Rafa Cabrera Bello – following a three-under 69.
Fourteen-time Major winner Tiger Woods, who last competed at Augusta in 2015, struck birdies in two of his last five holes to post a one-over 73, ending the day a stroke behind world No1 Dustin Johnson.
“It feels great to be back, its been a while,” said Woods. “I was looking forward to grinding it out and I made a little comeback on the back nine to get myself back into this tournament.”
Defending champion Sergio Garcias chances of retaining his Masters crown lay in tatters after taking 13 shots on the 15th hole during a catastrophic opening round.
World No9 Garcia plunged five balls into the water on the par five 15th, recording the highest number of strokes to navigate the hole in the tournaments history, while posting the worst score on any hole at Augusta since 1980.
The shellshocked 38-year-old, who eagled the hole during last years final round, finished the day with a nine-over-par 81, with English amateur Harry Ellis the only player to fire a worse score.
Finaus round of 68, meanwhile, was made all the more remarkable by him playing despite dislocating his ankle after holing a tee shot in Wednesdays par-three contest.
He said: “I didnt sleep very much last night but from that point to where I stand today is nothing short of a miracle.”
Former world No1s Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy provided the prospect of a mouthwatering Augusta duel after both fired themselves into Masters contention with powerful opening rounds.
American Spieth, who donned the Green Jacket in 2015, bogeyed the 18th but still finished the day with a six-under-par 66, which gave him a two-shot lead over fellow countrymen Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar.
McIlroy, bidding for a career grand slam in Georgia, was three strokes behind Spieth and ensconced in a seven-way tie for fourth – a group which included birthday boy Henrik Stenson and Spains Rafa Cabrera Bello – following a three-under 69.
Fourteen-time Major winner Tiger Woods, who last competed at Augusta in 2015, struck birdies in two of his last five holes to post a one-over 73, ending the day a stroke behind world No1 Dustin Johnson.
“It feels great to be back, its been a while,” said Woods. “I was looking forward to grinding it out and I made a little comeback on the back nine to get myself back into this tournament.”
Defending champion Sergio Garcias chances of retaining his Masters crown lay in tatters after taking 13 shots on the 15th hole during a catastrophic opening round.
World No9 Garcia plunged five balls into the water on the par five 15th, recording the highest number of strokes to navigate the hole in the tournaments history, while posting the worst score on any hole at Augusta since 1980.
The shellshocked 38-year-old, who eagled the hole during last years final round, finished the day with a nine-over-par 81, with English amateur Harry Ellis the only player to fire a worse score.
Finaus round of 68, meanwhile, was made all the more remarkable by him playing despite dislocating his ankle after holing a tee shot in Wednesdays par-three contest.
He said: “I didnt sleep very much last night but from that point to where I stand today is nothing short of a miracle.”
