by Anticipation continued to grow in February when Augusta National officials announced that LIV golfers who met Masters qualifications would be eligible to play in the 2023 Masters, since the touring division began with the first LIV tournament. in June 2022.
Many PGA Tour players like Rory McIlroy who previously criticized the Saudi-funded LIV series eased the tension this week by steering the conversation towards Masters history and lore.
“Look, it’s a narrative and a storyline, but the Masters and the four major championships are above all that noise, and that’s how it should be this week,” McIlroy said.
Augusta National President Fred Ridley further explained on Wednesday comments he made in December expressing disappointment with players opting for Series LIV instead of the PGA Tour.
“What I was trying to point out, and alluded to in my comments, the platform on which these players built their careers was based on the blood, sweat and tears of their predecessors, people like Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods,” Ridley said.
Live Ranking: Latest Masters tournament scores, schedules, pairings and more
“So my comment in December was really more than expressing some disappointment that these players were taking the platform they had been given – on which they had rightfully won success, by the way – and moving on to another opportunity, maybe not thinking about who might come behind them.”
The Masters:The Masters: tee times, TV, streaming info for Friday’s second round at Augusta National
Here’s how each LIV golfer fared in the opening round of the 2023 Masters on Thursday:
Brooks Koepka | Tied for the lead, 7 under 65
Brooks Koepka closed strong to tie Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland in the lead with a par 65 7-under. Koepka made the 4-under turn and birdied three of the final four holes to finish.
He became the first LIV golfer invited into the interview room during the tournament.
“I love finishing with two birdies like that. Let’s hope it continues tomorrow,” Koepka said. “You know, putting well, driving well, just kind of building on all of those things, and getting myself, you know, in contention with nine to go on Sunday, that’s the whole goal.”
Cameron Smith | 2 under 70
Making his seventh Masters appearance, the 29-year-old Australian has finished in the top 10 in four of his last five Masters. His first round included four birdies and two bogeys.
Patrick Rose | 1 under 71
The 2018 Masters champion has entered the top 10 in three of his last five starts at Augusta National. He birdied twice in the first eight holes, but finished with three bogies to accompany two more birdies the rest of the way.
“It was just one of those frustrating days,” he said. “I hit 12 of 14 fairways. The only ones I missed were 15, barely a right, but I was able to make a good layup there, birdie. Bad tee shot on the last one. it really doesn’t matter.”
Phil Mickelson | 1 under 71
Phil Mickelson shot a Thursday 71 in the 2023 Masters opener, working around three bogeys and a brace on the No.11.
“I hit a lot of good shots today and was lucky enough to shoot a low round. But that’s the problem I faced is I’m going to make two swings and that makes me costs four shots on 11 and 16,” said the three-time Masters champion. “That I can play Augusta National at the Masters and have a great day no matter what I shoot. I just try to enjoy the day and not put so much pressure on it.
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Joaquin Niemann | 1 under 71
Joaquin Niemann opened with four birdies from the front nine but ran into trouble after the turn. He carded bogeys on numbers 12, 13, 15 and 18.
“I mean, I played amazing golf on the front nine, and kind of continued on my back,” he said. “I think the only bad shot I hit was on the 13th where I just hit a bad swing there. But then I hit a good shot on the 14th, a good putt too. Then on the 15th, i thought i hit an amazing shot i mean it was a really good shot and i probably just needed two more yards and it was probably an eagle tap and i ended up make a bogey.
So I think that’s how this course works. Yeah, I mean, that’s how it is.”
Niemann is making his fourth Masters appearance. His 35th place finish last April is his best result at Augusta National.
Dustin Johnson | 1 under 71
The 2020 champion birdied the par-4 18th to finish under par. Johnson has finished in the top-12 in six of his last seven starts at Augusta National.
Talor Gooch | even 72
Harold Varner III | even 72
Abraham Ancer | even 72
The 31-year-old Mexican described his first round as “a big fight”, in his fourth appearance at the Masters.
“I guess there are two tales there front and back,” he said. “Three bogeys up front, three birdies back.
“I had to stay patient. I felt like I was hitting the ball well and not getting anything out of it. I got into three tough spots for those three bogeys and failed to save par. “
Jason Kokrak | 1 of 73
Thomas Pieter | 2 of 74
Bryson DeChambeau | 2 of 74
Sergio Garcia | 2 of 74
The 2017 Masters champion said: “Obviously I started well, but I don’t know, I got some good tee shots on the front nine. I hit a few not-so-good iron shots. J hit some really good iron shots.” I don’t know. I struggle a bit mentally. I was trying everything I could to do the best I could, and unfortunately the wheels started to come off a bit on the rear nine. “
Asked about returning to play at Augusta National, Garcia blamed media questions for pushing a narrative.
“Just normal. You have to stop this. You make a big deal out of it, and it’s you guys,” he said.
“I’ve had nothing but good things from every player I talk to. So please stop and talk about the Masters.”
Charl Schwartzel | 2 of 74
The 2011 Masters champion said: “It’s not a great start. I changed my putter this week and went out on the first hole and – I always say when you change clubs, especially a putter that has to do with the feeling, you feel it when you get a little adrenaline, you know? And I came in 1st, and I was like, wow, this stuff is heavy.
Mito Pereira | 2 of 74
Louis Oosthuizen | 4 out of 76
Bubba Watson | 5 out of 77
The 44-year-old is one of only 17 to have won the Masters more than once (2012 and 2014 champion).
Kevin Na | Took of
Na retired after nine holes Thursday due to an undisclosed illness. This left 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir to solo on back 9.
“He said earlier he wasn’t feeling well,” said Weir, who shot a par 72. “So I don’t know what’s going on, but he told me earlier that he wasn’t feeling well.”
