Bryson DeChambeau made five birdies in six holes on the back nine Thursday to hold off late world number one Scottie Scheffler for a one-shot lead at the 88th Masters halted in darkness. DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open winner, shot a seven-under-par 65 for his lowest-par major round while 2022 Masters winner Scheffler made four birdies in five holes on the back nine at Augusta National.
Dane Nikolai Hojgaard, among 20 Masters newcomers trying to become the first rookie winner since 1979, birdied “Amen Corner” – the course’s famous 11th, 12th and 13th holes.
The Dane was back at 5 under with three holes remaining when play was stopped due to darkness after rain delayed Thursday’s start by two and a half hours.
In all, 27 players, including 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, are scheduled to complete the first round Friday morning. They include American Max Homa, 4 under through 13 holes, and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, 3 under after 14 holes.
England’s Danny Willett, who won the 2016 Masters and birdied three of the last four holes, was three positions back in fourth on 68.
DeChambeau birdied the first three holes, stumbled with a bogey at nine, then began his birdie spree from 17 feet at the tricky par-3 12th.
“I felt like I put the golf ball in the right places,” DeChambeau said. “For the most part, I drove it well, hit it well, hit it well with my irons and took advantage when the opportunities presented themselves.”
DeChambeau, among 13 players from Saudi-backed LIV Golf in the Masters field, added a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 13th.
The 30-year-old American birdied the par-5 15th after a missed 40-foot eagle, then added a six-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th and an epic 31-footer at birdie 17.
“I didn’t expect to do that,” DeChambeau said. “But when it fell, it was pretty cool.”
Scheffler’s 66, his first bogey-free Masters round, included a nine-foot birdie putt at the par-5 second, an 18-foot birdie putt at the par-3 sixth and a 30-foot bunker shot at the 12th.
“Anytime you leave this course bogey-free, you’re going to have a good day.” I was lucky to walk away with a clean sheet,” Scheffler said.
The 27-year-old American dropped his approach three feet from the hole to make birdie putts at the 13th and 16th around a birdie at the 15th.
Scheffler, trying to match Woods as the only player to win the Masters twice while atop the leaderboard, closed with two pars.
“You want to get off to a good start,” Scheffler said. “Mission accomplished for today.”
Woods, returning to major golf after surgery on his right ankle last April but still struggling to walk, is seeking a 24th consecutive Masters to break the record he shares with Gary Player and Fred Couples.
He was 1 under after 13 holes.
Willett, recovering from a shoulder injury, responded to a bogey at 14 with birdies at 15, 16 and 18 to stay in the fight.
McIlroy has a scrappy 71
Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner who would complete a career grand slam by winning, shot a 71, his best Masters first round since 2018.
McIlroy, who last won a major in 2014, made four birdies and three bogeys. He made a 10-foot birdie putt at the 12th and a 15-footer at the 14th, but missed the 17th green and made bogey.
“I held up well. It was a little disjointed,” McIlroy said. “The conditions are delicate. It’s sometimes difficult to fully engage with the shots.
“He probably turned a 3-under score into a 1-under in the end, but overall it’s still not a bad score.”
Strong winds made the tree branches dance on the famous 7,555 meter route.
“When we have this much wind, this course is extremely tricky,” defending champion Jon Rahm said after shooting 73 and marveling at the leaders.
“Those guys played some really good rounds,” he said. “I didn’t make it easy for myself. I’ll have to make up ground quickly.
The Spaniard, who finished with back-to-back bogeys, could become the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles after Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo.
