AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It’s April and and a Rose is blooming in Augusta.
Justin Rose of England, the 2013 U.S. Open and 2016 Olympic gold medalist, is the clubhouse leader late in the first round of the 89th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club after an opening 65.
Two-time and defending Champion Scottie Scheffler and Corey Connors of Canada, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour are three behind Rose at -4.
“I felt pretty good,” Scheffler said after his round. “Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it’s a really good thing. Like you said, I struggled for what felt like two pars today. I had to make two really good up-and-downs. But other than that, the golf course was in front of me most of the day, kept the ball in play, did a lot of really good things out there.”
“You always feel good coming off the course when you post a good number,” Conners said. “So, yeah, happy with the way I battled hard on some of the holes. I was a little bit out of position, just trying to get the ball up-and-down or two-putt. Yeah, definitely feels good to add up to a low round.”
Rory McIlroy, seeking to complete the career Grand Slam with a win at Augusta in his 17th Masters appearance was -3 through the first nine. McIlory has recorded seven top-ten finishes in the tournament and has already won twice this season, including the prestigious Players Championship in March.
“I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year,” McIlroy said before the tournament began. “Look, I understand the narrative and the noise, and there’s a lot of anticipation and buildup coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job.”
Thursday began with another Masters tradition that dates back to 1941, when Honorary Starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit ceremonial tee shots. The trio won 11 combined Green Jackets during their Masters careers. After the ceremony, Fred S. Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, declared the tournament officially underway.
“When I walk up, make sure I don’t trip, said six-time Champion Nicklaus. “Second one is make sure I get the tee in the ground without falling over, and the third one is just don’t kill anybody. Don’t laugh too much about that; that’s actually the thoughts that I have.”
“I think the word that come that comes to my mind, I’m standing here for the 67th time, and I think the word is gratitude, just being here,” said Player, a three-time Champion. “It’s an honor to be at this — as the Scottish people say, the holy ground.”
Earlier Thursday morning, the White House released a statement from President Donald Trump regarding this year’s tournament and also congratulating competitors in last week’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“I extend my best wishes to the competitors, caddies, staff, volunteers, and patrons for a safe and fun Masters,” President Trump said in the statement. “May the best golfer win, and may all have a memorable week filled with moments that will last a lifetime.”
All-day coverage can be found at masters.com. ESPN is providing live television coverage from 3 p.m. until 7:30 p.m Eastern.
For a full list of groupings and start times, click here. For live scoring, click here.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
