Big Names Take Center Stage Thursday at The Masters

Top Moments From Round 1 at The Masters

Watch the 66 that gives @b_dechambeau a share of the first round lead in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/jkfyN3VQKj
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 12, 2019

Bryson DeChambeau Nearly Aces 16, Chips in on 17 and Almost Dunks an Eagle on 18

After posting a decent score of 35 on the front, which included 3 birdies and 2 bogeys, Bryson birdied 6 of his last 7 holes to finish with a 66 and a share of the 18-Hole lead
With 3 victories in 2018 and 1 already in 2019, Bryson is quickly becoming one of the more consistent players on tour
His best finish at Augusta National was in 2016, when he finished T-21st. In 2018, he finished T-38th.

Watch the key shots from the first-round 66 that gives @BKoepka a share of the lead at #themasters. pic.twitter.com/Jpk4UB1Bpa
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 12, 2019

Koepka’s Three Consecutive Birdies Place Him Firmly in Contention

The reigning US Open & PGA Champion put together the most solid round of the day. A bogey-free 66 puts Koepka in position to win his 3 of the last 4 majors. Koepka’s scrambling ability was on display all day.
He managed to scramble and save par or better on 100% of his chances.
Currently 4th in the OWGR, Koepka could soon find himself just an Open Championship away from the career grand slam with a win this week at The Masters.
- Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player are the only others to do so in the modern era.

.@TigerWoods escapes from the trees on No. 14 and converts his 25-foot birdie putt to claim a share of the lead. pic.twitter.com/ub6VGCYxNI
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019

Tiger’s Putt at 14 Goes the Distance

This birdie putt put Tiger into a share of lead at the time and he ended up finishing at -2 (70).
He posted a first round 70 in 3 of his 4 Masters wins, so he is right where he needs to be.
It’s no surprise that Tiger’s best putt of the day came at 14. Here’s why:
- Tiger Woods has won 14 Major Championships to date.
- He last won at Augusta National 14-years ago.
- This Masters Sunday is April 14th.
- His odds to win The Masters? You guessed it… 14/1

Golf is a game of inches... Exhibit B.#themasters @PhilMickelson pic.twitter.com/2WyYK4EoD7
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019

Phil Mickelson Reminds Patrons Golf Is a Game of Inches

Coming into the tournament with 40-1 odds or basically an afterthought when choosing a winner, Phil posted an impressive round of 67 which included ending his round at -5 in his last 7 holes.
When Lefty gets on a scoring streak, there are few people in the world who can pile on the birdies like him.
Perhaps a Sunday showdown between Woods and Mickelson is in store. Let’s just hope it’s more entertaining than the Tiger vs. Phil production we paid for last November.

.@kiradech is 4 under through his last four holes with this birdie on No. 16. pic.twitter.com/6y8ffYngvb
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019

Kiradech Aphibarnrat Goes -4 with Clutch Finish Down the Stretch

After being unable to make a birdie in his first 12 holes, Kiradech took advantage of the most scoreable part of the golf course going -4 on Holes 13-16. He finished with a 69 and in a tie for 6th.
At the time of this post, he has already finished his second-round as he was one of the first groups to tee of today.
- He managed to shoot an even-par 72, with 3 birdies on the day.
- He goes into the weekend at 3-under par for the tournament.