AUGUSTA, Ga. – After waiting 578 days since the 2019 Masters concluded, the excruciatingly long interval continued as the silence of this year’s patron-less tournament was shattered by thunder and pounding rain on Thursday when suspension of play had a tee time on the first day of the first Masters in November.
Once the storms cleared, however, a host of players – including one Tiger Woods – more than made the wait worthwhile for the spectators all over the world eager to watch the annual rite of spring that was moved to the fall because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
After Mother Nature politely allowed Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to hit the honorary tee shots Thursday morning to inaugurate the 84th edition of the Masters, torrential outbursts from above delayed play just shy of three hours. But then an eruption of red numbers started filling up the famous white scoreboards at Augusta National, providing an instant fall classic, if you will.
Chasing his first major, Paul Casey took up residence atop the leaderboard with a bogey-free, 7-under-par 65, two shots clear of Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele, who finished in a tie for second last year.
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“I did the right things when I needed to, and to be honest, you rarely walk off this golf course going, it could have been two or three better, but it kind of felt that way,” said Casey, who made five birdies and eagled the par-5 second. “I don’t want to be greedy. I’m very, very happy with my 65.”
Also in the mix at 68 was 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood and Hideki Matsuyama.
Oh, and Woods, the defending champion, five-time Masters winner and 15-time major victor who birdied three of his first seven holes.
“I did everything well,” said Woods, who also is in line to win a record 83rd PGA Tour title. “I drove it well, hit my irons well, putted well. The only real bad shot I hit today was I think 8. I had a perfect number with a 60-degree sand wedge and I hit it on the wrong shelf. Other than that, I just did everything well.
“The only thing I could say is that I wish I could have made a couple more putts. I missed everything on the high side. Putts just aren’t moving, so it’s just different with as slow as they are and then with the weather delay, the amount of rain they’ve had. The golf course is going to change a lot.”
In all, 27 of the 48 players who finished play broke par.
Among the 44 players who did not finish, world No. 3 Justin Thomas was at 5 under (through 10 holes).
“I’m playing well,” Thomas said. “It’s not like I’m playing bad or anything. But it’s not like I was sticking it really close or anything like that. I made a bad bogey on 7 with a gap wedge, had another chance on 9. But I played 10 holes. I’ve got a lot of golf left. Just go home and get some rest. It’s a long day tomorrow.”
At 4 under were 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott (10 holes), Matthew Wolff (11) and Dylan Frittelli (nine holes). World No. 1 Dustin Johnson was 3 under through nine holes.
Of the 44 players who were unable to finish, 23 were under par. Play is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. ET Friday. If there are no delays, the second round is scheduled to be begin at 9:35 a.m.
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“It’s probably as easy as it’s going to play,” Oosthuizen said after finishing his round. “I hit 4‑irons to the greens where it plugged, I hit 7‑wood into a green and it plugged. I don’t think we’ll ever get an opportunity to go at pins like that.
“Very different to what we’re used to playing.”
Players haven’t gotten used to the lack of volume, either, since the PGA Tour resumed play in June after a 13-week break due to COVID-19. Only recently have a limited number of fans been allowed to attend tournaments. For the most part, the players have missed the applause and roars and been challenged to create intensity and momentum. Especially this week, as roars will not be ripping through the Georgia Pines.
“It feels like you’re out here preparing for a Masters, not really playing in a Masters,” Kevin Kisner said after a 71.
But Casey is feeling it here at Augusta National.
“I was vocal earlier in the year about not enjoying golf in a pandemic,” he said. “I’m acutely aware I’m in a very fortuitous position. I still get to be a professional golfer and play championship golf, but I didn’t know how the fan-less experience would be. And so far, I’ve not enjoyed it, and I’ve lacked energy.
“The Masters, though, it still has a buzz to it. There’s an energy and a little bit of a vibe. Yes, it’s clearly a lot less than what we are used to, but there’s something about this place. As soon as I stepped foot on property on Monday, I’ve never been so happy to pass a COVID-19 test in my life.”
His scorecard provided further proof.
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