Masters 2025 Day 1 Recap: Justin Rose Leads After Historic Opening Round at Augusta
Apr 10, 2025
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5
min read
Masters 2025: Justin Rose Blooms Early as Augusta Delivers Classic Opening Drama
The azaleas weren’t the only thing in full bloom Thursday at Augusta National. Englishman Justin Rose lit up the iconic Georgia course with a scorching 7-under 65, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling edition of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
With firm greens, swirling breezes, and a field stacked with heavy hitters, Day One didn’t disappoint.
🌟 Rose Sets the Record Straight
Rose, a former U.S. Open champion and Masters runner-up, turned back the clock with a nearly flawless performance. His round featured sharp iron play, strategic course management, and a red-hot putter that saw him pour in seven birdies and no bogeys.
Perhaps most impressively, this marks the fifth time Rose has led after the first round at the Masters, a feat no one else in tournament history has accomplished.
“It’s always special to lead at Augusta,” Rose said post-round. “But it’s about staying in the moment and not getting ahead of yourself. There's still a long way to go.”
🔥 Chasing the Englishman
Behind him, a familiar name lurks: Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 green jacket winner, carded a smooth 68 (-4), sharing second place with Canada’s Corey Conners and Sweden’s rising star Ludvig Åberg, last year’s runner-up.
Scheffler looked every bit the defending champion, shrugging off pressure with calm consistency.
Åberg continues to show he's no flash in the pan, navigating Augusta like a veteran despite being one of the youngest in the field.
🧊 Rory Flat, Bryson and Hatton Steady
Rory McIlroy, chasing the elusive career Grand Slam, had a quiet opening day with an even-par 72, leaving him T-27 and needing a solid Friday to stay in contention.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton quietly crept into the mix with matching 3-under 69s, their aggressive play rewarded on a day when many were grinding for pars.
📊 Day One Leaderboard Snapshot
Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
1 | Justin Rose | -7 |
T2 | Scottie Scheffler | -4 |
T2 | Corey Conners | -4 |
T2 | Ludvig Åberg | -4 |
T5 | Bryson DeChambeau | -3 |
T5 | Tyrrell Hatton | -3 |
📝 Final Thoughts
As expected, Augusta delivered its trademark mix of beauty and brutality. With weather expected to hold and the course firming up, Friday could separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Can Rose keep the magic alive? Will Scheffler continue his dominant Masters run? Can Rory bounce back?
One thing is certain—Day One has set the stage for a Masters classic.
Stay tuned for Round 2 coverage and follow the journey to the green jacket right here.
