The Masters 2023 LIVE: Leaderboard and scores as Koepka takes share of lead and McIlroy struggles in Round 1

Ben Fleming and Harry Latham-Coyle

LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka used a closing birdie to move into a three-way share of the Masters clubhouse lead with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler lurked three shots back.

Koepka, one of 17 LIV Golf players left in the field after Kevin Na withdrew midway through his round, shot a sparkling seven-under-par 65 in ideal scoring conditions at humid Augusta National to join Spaniard Rahm and Norway’s Hovland in the lead.

Australian Jason Day and Cameron Young were two shots off the lead while pre-tournament favourite Scheffler, world number seven Xander Schauffele and major champions Shane Lowry, Adam Scott and Gary Woodland were among those a further shot back.

Rory McIlroy insisted he was not left facing an “insurmountable” challenge after a frustrating opening round of the 87th Masters.

McIlroy made history as he gave what is believed to be the first in-play interview at Augusta National as he played the ninth hole, but could only produce a level-par 72 to lie seven shots off the lead.

Earlier, five-time winner Tiger Woods battled “constant” pain in the first round of his 25th Masters. Playing just his fifth competitive round of the year, Woods looked understandably rusty as he laboured to a 74 and was comprehensively outscored by playing partners Hovland and Schauffele.

Follow live updates from the opening day’s play of the Masters below:

The Masters 2023

Goodbye, for now...

00:01 , Ben Fleming

There’s one match left on the course but that is the end of our live blog for today. What a day of action and the leaderboard speaks for itself. We’ll be back tomorrow to cover it all over again! See you then...

Masters leaderboard after round one:

T1: Viktor Hovland -7

T1: Brooks Koepka -7

T1: Jon Rahm -7

T4: Jason Day -5

T4: Cameron Young -5

T6: Scottie Scheffler -4

T6: Xander Schauffele -4

T6: Sam Burns -4

T6: Shane Lowry -4

T6: Adam Scott -4

T6: Sam Bennett (a) -4

T6: Gary Woodland -4

McIlroy’s round comes to a close

23:53 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (72), Burns -4 (68), Kim -2 (70)

McIlroy’s drive on the last lands in the bunker with the second shot spinning back off the green. His chip leaves plenty to be desired and he has a 10-foot putt for par...which he makes. It’s something positive to end on at least but he’s left himself with plenty of catching up to do tomorrow.

Kim’s birdie effort just dodges the right edge and he signs off with a respectable two-under 70 while Burns’ spectacular second shot isn’t rewarded and he too makes par.

The defending champion finishes off

23:43 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -4 (68), Bennett (a) -4 (68), Homa -1 (71)

Scheffler moves onto the last and he fires a beautiful iron to 10 feet but the putt slides by. It's a round of huge frustration with the putter for the defending champions but, my oh my, if he gets that going - he will be right up there again come Sunday.

Homa goes even better and sticks his second shot to eight feet. He makes the putt and gets into the red to end the day.

Bennett has a testy putt from long range which he races by the hole but the amateur knocks in the return - what a fantastic round by the 23-year-old. He's surrounded by all the cameras and playing alongside the best player in the world and he's been unfazed by it all. A bogey-free 68...the next best amateur shot a three-over 75.

McIlroy drops another at 17

23:41 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (17), Burns -4 (17), Kim -2 (17)

Trouble off the tee for McIlroy and he is forced to punch out from the rough. The ball flies into the bunker and he has seven feet for par...but it slides by. The frustration is palpable, especially after all the good work on the previous two holes.

Burns and Kim make par and they head up the last.

Back-to-back Spieth birdies

23:32 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -3 (16), Finau -3 (16)

A very ‘normal’ Spieth round...and by that, I mean total carnage. A double bogey on the 13th but he gets the shots back on 15 and now on 16 with a lovely putt. Finau, meanwhile, misses a tiddler and remains at three under.

More putting woes for Scheffler

23:25 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -4 (17), Bennett (a) -4 (17), Homa E (17)

All pars at the 16th but opportunities are aplenty at the penultimate hole. Bennett’s goes by the right edge with too much pace and Scheffler’s hasn’t got enough pace and misses on the low side. It’s pretty scary to think about how this round could have looked for Scottie if his putter hadn’t been ice cold...and yet he is still just three shots off the lead.

Homa was in trouble off the tee and drops back to level par with a bogey.

Morikawa signs off

23:21 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -3 (69)

A chance on 18 for Collin Morikawa but it just goes past the right edge. A par instead but still a very solid opening round from Collin.

Back-to-back birdies for Rory

23:19 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -1 (16), Burns -4 (16), Kim -2 (16)

Rory aims to follow up his birdie on the 15th and it’s a lovely iron into 16 green which gives him an opportunity to do so....which he takes! Are there some small signs of life from the Northern Irishman?

Burns fires into the bunker and he has a tough save for par which he can’t manage - he drops back to four under par. Kim makes a par.

Rory back to level

23:08 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (15), Burns -5 (15), Kim -2 (15)

Burns has had a quieter back nine since his fast start but he makes a nice birdie to move back to five under. McIlroy opts to lay up but makes the most of it and he’s back to level par with a birdie.

It’s a hole to forget for Kim, though, as his chip out of the bunker falls victim to the slop on 15 and drifts into the water. A double bogey undoes his excellent eagle on the par-five 13th earlier.

Eagle for Homa

22:54 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -4 (15), Bennett (a) -4 (15), Homa -1 (15)

Homa has been lingering in the background of this group but he emerges from the shadows with a gorgeous iron into the par-five 15th and he takes full advantage. An eagle, a fist pump and into the red for the American.

Scheffler’s second shot is not quite as good as it flies over the back but his chip is exemplary and he knocks a putt in for birdie.

Bennett makes par and remains at four under.

A good Day’s work

22:51 , Ben Fleming

Day -5 (67)

There are plenty more horrible Day-themed puns incoming if the Australian keeps playing like that. It’s a poor drive on the last but he recovers nicely and makes a good putt to keep a bogey off his scorecard and ensure he heads into Friday just two off the lead. Very nicely done, Jason.

Back-to-back birdies for Morikawa

22:48 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -3 (16)

This leaderboard is getting more and more stacked as the minutes go by. Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa nudges one in on the 16th and he moves to three under with Rose.

Rose making a move

22:45 , Ben Fleming

Rose -3 (16)

Justin Rose loves it around this famous course and he’s made a very solid start to this tournament. He got his first PGA Tour win in four years earlier this season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and after a nice birdie on 16, the Englishman moves to three under.

More water for Spieth

22:42 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -1 (13)

The back nine is normally when players kick on at Augusta...so, of course, Jordan Spieth has stuck it in the water for the second time. He misses a short putt to make matters worse and a double bogey moves him back to one under.

Back-to-back birdies for Day

22:38 , Ben Fleming

Day -5 (17)

It’s not an easy chance but Day pours it in from range. That’s another birdie and he moves into a tie for fourth. Still feels like he is going extremely under the radar.

More frustration for Scheffler

22:37 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -3 (14), Bennett (a) -4 (14), Homa +1 (14)

It’s another chance to make a birdie for Scottie but another one goes by. He normally has a good poker face but you can see the frustration etched all over his face. Bennett and Homa also make par.

Eagle for Kim on 13

22:29 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (13), Burns -4 (13), Kim -4 (13)

McIlroy makes a meal of it from the back bunker and gets far too much sand. He nurses it down to the hole and makes a par - he would have wanted far more.

Burns has a long sweeping putt across the green and he too can only manage a par but what an eagle from Kim! A marvellous second shot leaves him just nine feet and he makes the putt - out of nowhere the youngster moves up to four under.

Oh Rory...

22:21 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (12), Burns -4 (12), Kim -2 (12)

Burns muscles out a great effort from the pine straw and finds the par-five green in two. McIlory is in the middle of the fairway - an A+ position - but can't follow suit...it's in the back bunker and that is a tough position for him to be in and a real poor shot.

What a Day for it

22:17 , Ben Fleming

Day -4 (16)

So solid from Jason Day and another solid iron into the par-three 16th gives him an opportunity. His putting is one of the great strengths of his game and he makes no mistake. Four under - he’s one to watch.

Scheffler misses eagle chance

22:15 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -3 (13), Bennett (a) -4 (13), Homa +1 (13)

You can’t keep Scheffler down for too long and it’s a majestic second shot from the world number one which feeds down to the hole for an eagle opportunity...but it slides by again. It’s birdie but this round has seen a lot of opportunities go by.

Homa lags up an eagle attempt and knocks in a much-needed birdie to get back to one over while Bennett ends up in the bunker after three and can only make par

In the water for Spieth

22:10 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -3 (11)

It’s a good position off the tee for Spieth but the ball is turning over a lot in the air...and it’s in the water. A costly error for the American but a remarkable up and down to ensure just the one shot is dropped.

Another one bites the dust for Rory

22:08 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (12), Burns -4 (12), Kim -2 (12)

Not his best effort into the par-three 12th and he has to settle for a par - not a lot of holes remaining for him to recover this round. Burns sees a good opportunity go by as he also makes par. Kim follows suit and on to the par fives...

Koepka joins the lead

22:01 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -7 (65), Woodland -4 (68)

Wow, wow, wow. A magical end from Koepka - who would have thought we would have had anyone end on -7, let alone three? The four-time major champion fires an arrow into the green on 18 and knocks in another birdie after one on 17.

Seven under and tied with Hovland and Rahm at the top. What a leaderboard we have already.

Woodland also deserves a pat on the back. He fires in a birdie on the last and the 2019 US Open champion signs off for a four-under round of 68 and a place in the top five as things stand

McIlroy drops back again

21:57 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (11), Burns -4 (11), Kim -2 (11)

A poor shot off the tee on 11 leaves McIlroy in a spot of bother and he can’t recover - a bogey for him. Kim and Burns make good pars

Spieth saves par

21:50 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -4 (10)

It’s never a smooth ride with Jordan Spieth and he gets in a spot of bother when his second shot on the 10th ends up in the bunker. Up and down to save par with little green to work with? Sure thing, no worries...is what I imagine Jordan said to himself. And he does just that. He remains at four under and in a tie for fifth.

Scheffler bogeys 11th

21:48 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -2 (11)

He missed a good birdie chance at 10 and now he misses another close-range effort to save par on the tenth. Not a stellar couple of holes for Scottie’s putter but he responds with a dart into the par-three 12 and a chance at birdie.

Koepka into solo third

21:42 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -6 (17)

Koepka has had a sparkling round, how good it is to see him competing at the top of his game. His putt on 16 was millimetres away from dropping but he makes no mistake on the 17th and the birdie takes him to six under and third place.

Straka on a streak

21:40 , Ben Fleming

Straka -2 (16)

Sepp Straka resides in Georgia but is eligible for Europe’s Ryder Cup team through his Austrian father. Like Rahm, he started with a double bogey on the first but five consecutive birdies between holes 12 and 16 has him sitting pretty in a tie for 15th.

McIlory back to level par

21:37 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (10), Burns -4 (10), Kim -2 (10)

Burns gets into a lot of trouble as his second lands among the patrons. His chip doesn’t get on the green and in the end he settles for a bogey five. Kim’s birdie effort is a good one but it whistles past the right edge.

Rory hits a fantastic iron to within 11 feet and he has a great look at birdie...and he makes it. Back to even par and a chance to kick on with eight holes to play.

Watch out for Jason Day

21:33 , Ben Fleming

Day -3 (13)

The Australian has enjoyed a real resurgence in the last year and many fancy him as an outside pick this week. His first round so far will do nothing to detract those punters and he pours one into the heart of the cup on the par-five 13th to move to three under.

One slips by for Scheffler

21:32 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -3 (10), Bennett (a) -4 (10), Homa +2 (10)

Scheffler carries a majestic iron all the way to that back pin location on the tenth but he’ll want that small birdie putt attempt back - it’s hit too slow and the defending champions misses out.

Bennett makes a regulation par while Homa gets up and down well to save par also.

Special stuff from Spieth

21:26 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -4 (8)

Speith and Augusta National is a match made in heaven and he shows it once again with a beautiful touch on the par-five eighth. Another birdie and he moves to four under for the day.

History for Bennett

21:22 , Ben Fleming

It sure was a front nine to remember for the amateur Sam Bennett:

Fast start for Burns

21:21 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (9), Burns -5 (9), Kim -2 (9)

McIlroy offers up an insightful walk-and-talk segment with the CBS broadcast team but his approach shot leaves him a lot to do and he can only make par. Burns and Kim follow suit and what a start it has been for Burns.

Scheffler marches on

21:18 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -3 (9), Bennett (a) -4 (9), Homa +2 (9)

If there is one man that can never escape your mind, it’s Scottie Scheffler and the American continues his steady start with a birdie to close out his front nine. A lovely iron over the bunker to seven feet and he makes no mistake, pouring it into the heart of the cup.

Bennett and Homa make routine pars.

Koepka bounces back

21:13 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -5 (15)

He made a mistake off the tee on the previous par-five 13th but he makes full use on the 15th. A simple tap-in birdie and back to a tie for third for Brooks. As he bends down to pick up his ball, you can see a few raindrops landing into the water behind him - let’s hope it gets no worse than that.

McIlroy finds a birdie

21:06 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy +1 (8), Burns -5 (8), Kim -2 (8)

It’s been a slow start from McIlroy but he gets the much-needed birdie on the eighth after a good second shot onto the par-five green. Burns follows suits and the American is now up in a tie for third. Kim makes a par to remain two under par.

Cam Smith signs off with birdie on 18

21:00 , Ben Fleming

Smith -2 (70)

Many fancied the Open champion coming into this week and it’s easy to see why. He’s got the game, the invention and the big-game mentality to challenge without doubt. He pours one in on the last to card a steady two-under round of 70.

Where’s Niemann come from?

20:56 , Ben Fleming

Niemann -4 (10)

There’s always a couple who sneak under the radar with so many high-quality players about and Joaquin Niemann’s round is the perfect example.

Birdies at seven, eight and nine and the Chilean has risen out of nowhere and into forth place.

Spieth makes another, Scheffler misses an opportunity

20:54 , Ben Fleming

Spieth -3 (7), Scheffler -2 (8)

Spieth is someone who could catch fire in these conditions...and he shows just that potential with a sparkling iron into seven. He knocks it in for a birdie and moves to three under.

Scheffler fires in a similarly impressive iron into the eighth but he fails to make the birdie as the ball squirms past the left edge from just 11 inches.

Rahm joins the lead

20:48 , Ben Fleming

Young -5 (67), Rahm -7 (65), Thomas -2 (70)

What a turnaround for Rahm! He misses a chance for birdie at 17 but makes up for it with a superb iron into 18 and a birdie which draws him level with Hovland at the top of the leaderboard. For those joining late, the Spaniard four-putted to double bogey his first hole - quite the turnaround and after a few weeks off, he looks back to his best.

Young misses his birdie putt on the last and cards a hugely encouraging five under 67 while Thomas finishes with a two under 7 after a bogey on the 17th.

Bogey for Brooks, double for McIlroy

20:44 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -4 (13), McIlroy +2 (7)

Koepka tries to take on the angle on the par-five 13th but the ball ends up in the woods. He hacks out, lays up and tries to save par...but fails. he drops back to four under.

McIlroy, meanwhile, is in a world of trouble and his irons again let him down. He fires over the back of the green with his second shot before inexplicably chipping into the bunker. He then misses a short put to escape with a bogey and cards a six on the par-four seventh. Not the start he would have had in mind.

Scott in the clubhouse

20:39 , Ben Fleming

Scott -4 (68)

The 2013 Masters champion had not bogeyed a whole all day...until the last. But it’s still a great day for the Australian. A marvellous eagle at 15 and he cards a hugely-impressive 68 to put himself right in the mix heading into the second round.

What does tomorrow bring for Woods?

20:36 , Ben Fleming

Woods +2 (74)

A round of ebbs and flows for Woods. Early on, he couldn’t get a putt to sink and the round, at one point, it looked like it would escape him entirely. Birdies at 15 and 16 offered him a lifeline but the closing bogey at the last may leave him with work to do tomorrow.

There will also be some concern for his body. There was plenty of limping towards the end and a shot with his right foot in the bunker at the last seemed to hurt his weak right leg. He’ll have plenty of time to recover until his afternoon round tomorrow but can he put together a round to see himself through to the weekend? Time will tell...

Hovland breaks new ground

20:30 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (65)

A lovely round from our leader Hovland: no blemishes on the card and plenty of highlights. The great eagle on the second, big puts towards the end of the front nine and a fantastic par save on ten spring to mind.

There’s is plenty of golf still to be played but so much to be encouraged by:

Woods bogeys the last, finishes with a 74

20:24 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (65), Woods +2 (74), Schauffele -4 (68)

Schauffele misses his birdie chance and settles for a four-under round of 68. That’s a great start for the Olympic champion.

Woods doesn’t do well enough from the sand and he misses his par putt to drop back to two under and a round of 74.

Hovland makes his up and down from the bunker to close out a remarkable round of golf. He’s got the lead for now but a fantastic display with his irons and plenty of promise on the greens as well. He’s still chasing his first major and that is about as good as a start as you could ask for.

Hovland and Woods approach the last

20:19 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (17), Woods +1 (17), Schauffele -4 (17)

Both Hovland and Woods get into trouble off the tee and end up in the green-side bunker to the right of the pin. Schauffele finds the middle of the fairway then the middle of the green and has a good look at birdie.

Koepka continues to advance

20:16 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -5 (12)

Brooks won the last LIV event prior to the Masters and he has clearly brought that form with him into this first round. A lovely iron shot from the par-three tee lands below the hole and he makes no mistake to move to five under par with no bogeys on the card.

Another birdie for Bennett.

20:14 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -2 (6), Bennett (a) -4 (6), Homa +1 (6)

Has someone told Sam Bennett that he’s an amateur playing in the Masters? He clearly doesn’t seem to realise - it looks like he’s playing a round with his mates he’s that relaxed. He pours another one in from 23 feet and moves to four under through six - remarkable.

More birdies for Rahm, Young and Thomas

20:11 , Ben Fleming

Young -5 (16), Rahm -6 (16), Thomas -3 (16)

They all birdied 15 and they repeat the feat on the par-three 16th. Three excellent tee shots and three excellent putts from this marquee group. Just two to go for them.

McIlroy saves par

20:07 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (5), Burns -4 (5), Kim -2 (5)

McIlroy’s irons have been causing him issues in the early part of the round and his second shot gives him a lot to do but he does well to save par. Burns and Kim also make par.

Schauffele gives one back

20:05 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (17), Woods +1 (17), Schauffele -4 (17)

Woods run of birdies comes to an end with a par at 17. The same can’t be said for Schaufelle whose drive goes right off the tee with the American forced to lay up. He has a chance to save par but can’t make it and he drops back to four under.

Hovland remains the leader by two with another par.

Fast start for Spieth

19:59 , Ben Fleming

Speith -2 (4)

The conditions are ripe for low scores today and the 2015 champion will be one of many looking to notch up an impressive first-round score. A birdie at two is followed by another at three as he moves to two under.

Rahm into second

19:56 , Ben Fleming

Young -4 (15), Rahm -5 (15), Thomas -2 (15)

The other marquee pairing on the back nine have been bubbling away quietly with not much to report. But they make the most of the par-five 15th. All three make birdie, Rahm doing so after a delightful chip from the back of the green, as they look to close out their rounds well.

Scott into second

19:50 , Ben Fleming

Scott -5 (16)

He’s been lurking on two under after early birdies on two and three but he’s not had much in the way of action...until now. Birdie on 14 and a delightful eagle on 15 moves him to five under. Not a bogey on the card and right up in the action.

Back-to-back birdies for Woods

19:47 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (16), Woods +1 (16), Schauffele -5 (16)

This round was fading away from Woods half an hour ago but what a difference two holes make. A perfect iron lands beneath the whole and he pours it in for a second successive birdie.

Schauffele’s effort grazes the edge of the hole and he makes par, as does our leader Hovland.

Back to level for McIlroy

19:44 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy E (3), Burns -4 (3), Kim -2 (3)

McIlroy gets out of position again near the green and he can’t save par this time - he drops back to level par. Kim saves par with a good putt but the same can’t be said for Sam Burns who makes another birdie, he’s flying and four under through three holes.

Bennett misses birdie chance, Scheffler makes par

19:41 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -2 (4), Bennett (a) -3 (4), Homa +1 (4)

Scheffler, Bennett and Homa all make par at the second but Bennett attacks the par-three third with a great iron but a missed opportunity and the amateur has to settle for par. Scheffler just misses the green but his chipping skill sees him make par.

Homa gets into the bunker off the tee and he misses a par putt and bogeys the par three.

Lowry finishes strong

19:38 , Ben Fleming

Lowry -4 (68)

A lovely first round from the 2019 Open champion. Only one blemish on the round - a bogey on 11 - but five birdies, including a great putt on the last sees the Irishman in the clubhouse on four under. Great stuff Shane.

Woods and Schauffele make birdie on 15

19:35 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (15), Woods +2 (15), Schauffele -5 (15)

Onto the par five 15th for the leader who lays up short after getting in trouble off the tea. He misses his birdie effort and makes par.

Woods hits a bad wedge into the green but it's a fantastic putt and a much-needed birdie as he moves to two over

Schauffele follows suit and he has back-to-back birdies to move to five under and just two behind Hovland.

Elsewhere on the course

19:27 , Ben Fleming

Plenty of players out now as round one gets into full swing. There are early birdies for Jason Day, Justin Rose and Collin Morikawa.

McIlroy up and running

19:23 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -1 (2) Burns -3 (2), Kim -2 (2)

Burns hits a great shot into the second and has a great look for an eagle and the WGC Matchplay winner makes no mistake. McIlroy tries to use the contours on the green to work it down to the whole but it remains on the top ridge. He nurses it down to whole nicely and taps in for a birdie.

Tom Kim goes under the radar but that’s back-to-back birdies for the young South Korean who is more than holding his own in his first Masters start.

Young and Rahm birdie 13

19:20 , Ben Fleming

Young -3 (13), Rahm -4 (13), Thomas -1 (13)

Rahm takes on the 13th and flies the green but it’s a marvellously-judged effort from the bunker with the green running away from him and he makes birdie and joins Schauffele and Koepka in second.

Thomas has a tough eagle effort from range and leaves it short...and then misses his birdie attempt. A missed opportunity for the American.

Young has had a topsy-turvy round since his electric start but he bounces back from his bogey on the previous hole with a birdie at the par-five.

Schauffele birdies 14

19:15 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (14), Woods +3 (14), Schauffele -4 (14)

Woods gets in some trouble off the tee and his second strikes a tree but soft hands with the chip secures par for the American. Hovland holds his nerve to make a solid par putt but the whole belongs to Schauffele who hits a wonderful iron into the green and makes the birdie.

He’s up to four under but he has company after Koepka superb second shot at eight sees him make birdie too - what a stacked leaderboard we have at the moment.

Eagles for Scheffler and Bennett

19:12 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -2 (2), Bennett (a) -3 (2)

My oh my, what a start by the amateur! He’s birdied the first and now eagled the second with an audacious chip-in from just off the green. Scheffler hit a magnificent iron shot into the second and he too makes an eagle. An electric start from that group.

McIlroy pars the first, birdie for Lowry

19:06 , Ben Fleming

McIlory E (1), Lowry -3 (16)

Rory gets his round underway and gets out of position early on but it’s superb touch around the green from the Northern Irishman and he gets away with a par.

Over to the back nine and Lowry gets back up into second with a fantastic putt on the par-three 16th - what a putt and great round building for him.

Young drops a shot

19:03 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (12), Rahm -3 (12), Thomas -1 (12)

Young made a birdie on 10 but he gives it back to the course just two holes later with a bogey at the par three after a bad miss putt from close range. Rahm almost troubles the whole from long range but settles for par while Thomas does superbly to get up and down from the back bunker to save his par.

Another birdie for Hovland

19:00 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -7 (13), Woods +3 (13), Schauffele -3 (13)

Hovland misses his opportunity to make eagle but taps in for his birdie. SEVEN under through 13 now...spectacular stuff and more opportunities down the stretch.

Woods and Schauffele’s chips leave something to be desired and both end up making pars.

Scheffler pars the first, Koepka makes a move.

18:56 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler E (1), Bennett (a) -1 (1), Koepka -3 (7)

Scheffler can’t make the most of his great approach to the first and makes par. He’s outdone by Sam Bennett after the amateur makes a great birdie from a similar location.

Koepka shows great touch around the green to nurse his putt down the hill and into the cup. He’s up into a tie for second with his three-under-par score.

Hovland on the charge

18:53 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -6 (12), Woods +3 (12), Schauffele -3 (12)

As they approach the newly-lengthened 13th both Woods and Schaufelle have to lay up as their drives end up in the rough. We will probably see plenty more of that over the next few days after the par five was made longer for this tournament.

It’s no problem for Hovland though who finds the perfect position in the fairway and takes on the green in two...and it’s superb. A great iron and an eagle chance for him.

Pars all round

18:49 , Ben Fleming

Young -3 (11), Rahm -3 (11), Thomas -1 (11)

Cam Young gets himself in some trouble off the tee heading into the pine straw on the left. He recovers well and almost makes a birdie with a long-range effort. Both Rahm and Thomas make par as well but that’s no mean feat on the tricky 11th

Scheffler gets underway

18:44 , Ben Fleming

The defending Masters champion has been in scintillating form this year having already won the Waste Management Open and the Players. He tees off the first alongside Max Homa and amateur Sam Bennett

18:40 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -6 (12), Woods +3 (12), Schauffele -3 (12)

On to the par-three 12th for this group. Woods takes aim over the bunker and safely escapes with a par, as does Hovland. Schauffele hits the most eye-catching tee shot of them all and he makes a fantastic birdie to move into a tie for second.

Zalatoris withdraws

18:37 , Ben Fleming

Some more unfortunate withdrawal news as Will Zalatoris pulls out with injury. The American finished second and T6 in his two starts but missed the end of last season and the Presidents Cup with a serious back injury.

Young back to three under

18:27 , Ben Fleming

Young -3 (10), Rahm -3 (10), Thomas -1 (10)

Thomas finds himself in the bunker on the tenth but his short-game prowess comes to the fore and he makes a super par. Rahm also makes par but it’s Young who steals the headlines with a stellar approach into the tenth which leaves him with a tap-in birdie to move level with Rahm.

Woods bogeys 11, Hovland makes another birdie

18:24 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -6 (11), Woods +3 (11), Schauffele -2 (11)

Woods pushes his second shot out to the right on 11 and his flop shot over the bunker flies into the bunker. Schauffele shows Woods how it’s done and his wonderful chip somehow manages to evade the hole. He makes par.

Woods pitches out of the sand and makes a great put to avoid a double bogey.

But Hovland, though, what a putt! Out of nowhere, the Norwegian pours it in from distance and he’s now at six under. A Fantastic start from him.

Koepka starts bright, Couples rolls back the years

18:14 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -2 (4), Couples -2 (17)

Koepka is another LIV Golfer to keep an eye on. The four-time major champion has a superb major championship record and looks to have recovered from the injuries that blighted his season last year. He’s birdied the second and third to make a bright start.

Finishing off his round superbly is ol’ Freddy Couples. The 63-year-old won the Masters in 1992 and he’s made four birdies in his last six holes to sit tied for third on two under. Ageing like a fine wine.

18:08 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (9), Rahm -3 (9), Thomas -1 (9)

Young and Rahm leave their second shots at the front of the green but both manage a two-putt for par. Thomas’ iron goes off the back but the American recovers well with a well-judged putt through the fringe and makes par as well.

All three remain under par as they head to the back nine.

Double bogey for Meronk

18:05 , Ben Fleming

Meronk E (15)

Meronk led at one point early on but a disaster on the par five sees him drop two. His second goes in the water and the Pole then three putts to record a seven and drop back to level par.

Hovland makes great par save.

18:05 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -5 (10), Woods +2 (10), Schauffele -2 (10)

Woods has himself in some trouble of the tee at the tenth but it’s a superb recovery shot from the pine to give him a birdie chance - the type of shot few in this field could pull off. He doesn’t give the putt enough pace and has to settle for par, though.

Hovland salvages par with a delightful up and down after his second shot left him behind the bunker and right of the green with Schauffele making a more regulation par.

Clubhouse leader

17:57 , Ben Fleming

Stallings -2 (70)

We haven’t mentioned Scott Stallings since the marquee pairings have come on screen but he’s quietly gone about his business and birdies at 15 and 18 have him in the clubhouse at two under. That’s a very solid start for the veteran PGA Tour player.

It’s his first Masters since 2014 and it almost didn’t happen when his invite ended up in the hands of the wrong Scott Stallings...

The Masters invites wrong Scott Stallings to play Augusta major

Lowry and Reed drop shots

17:52 , Ben Fleming

Lowry -2 (11), Reed -1 (12)

You can say all the prayers you like but Amen Corner will catch up with you eventually. Reed and Lowry both make a mess of their respective holes with poor chips and they both drop shots.

Rahm’s recovery continues with eagle

17:50 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (8), Rahm -3 (8), Thomas -1 (8)

Young makes a slight meal of the hole and given his length off the tee, that’s a waste to leave with just a par. Rahm and Thomas hit cracking second shots into the long par-five. Thomas’ chip leaves a bit to be desired and he too can only leave the hole with a par.

Rahm, meanwhile, makes the most of his superb second and makes an eagle. +2 through one and now -3 through eight: superb.

Hovland extends his lead to two

17:43 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -5 (9), Woods +2 (9), Schauffele -2 (9)

Schauffele plays the hole superbly and leaves himself a great chance at birdie...which he takes. Woods wraps up for par on the whole but Hovland makes the headlines again with a delightful approach into the ninth. He leaves himself just three feet and makes no mistake.

Another birdie, a front-nine 31, and a two-shot lead at the top. Not bad at all.

Great par save from Lowry

17:32 , Ben Fleming

Lowry -3 (10)

Lowry almost makes a meal of the tenth with a poor second but it is a magnificent up and down to save par. His short game is a real strength of his game and it’s come to the fore right on cue to keep him near the top.

Rahm into the red

17:30 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (7), Rahm -1 (7), Thomas -1 (7)

This is some bounce back from Rahm. He double-bogeyed the first but made back-to-back birdies at the next two. He now has another at the seventh and he sits at one under.

Cam Young’s iron shot almost spun back into the whole but narrowly missed the cup. He misses the birdie opportunity and stays at two under. Thomas also makes par.

Woods bounces back, Hovland into the lead

17:28 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -4 (8), Woods +2 (8), Schauffele -1 (8)

He needed that. It’s a poor second but some short-game magic from Woods knocks it stone dead and he makes birdie. Schaufelle got into some trouble off the tee and he can only make par.

Hovland, though, with a superb putt for birdie and he now has the solo lead at four under although Young does have a good chance back at seven.

Reed one of the lead, Meronk drops back

17:23 , Ben Fleming

Reed -2 (10), Meronk -1 (12)

LIV Golf was always going to be a topic of discussion this week and one of their more outspoken participants, Patrick Reed, has made a good start today. He makes a good birdie at ten to move into second. Meronk makes a mess out of the fringe on the par-three 12th and can’t make his par putt.

Lowry into the lead

17:15 , Ben Fleming

Lowry -3 (9)

I said he was sneaking under the radar but now Lowry is in the lead! A delightful iron shot over the flag at the ninth and he judges the downhill putt expertly to make birdie at the ninth - he’s tied at the top with Hovland.

Young bogeys six

17:14 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (6), Rahm E (6), Thomas -1 (6)

Thomas dropped a shot on the fifth and could well do so again after a heavy-handed chip out of the rough. Young hits a poor first putt which comes rolling back to his feet. Rahm has a putt near where Young’s ball ended up but he gets the pace right and taps in for a par.

Thomas makes amends for his bad chip and saves par but Young can’t do the same. He drops a shot for the first time and moves down to second.

Lowry sneaking under the radar

17:10 , Ben Fleming

Lowry -2 (8)

We’ve not seen too much of the Irishman but he has a mammoth attempt for eagle at the eight and it almost goes in! A superb effort but he taps in for birdie and moves one back of the lead.

Schauffele and Woods drop shots

17:05 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -3 (7), Woods +3 (7), Schauffele -1 (7)

Woods and Hovland both hit similar irons into the seventh green and both spin back to the bottom of the green. Schaufelle might be in some trouble as flies his second over the back - he'll have work to do.

Hovland leaves his short before Schauffele’s par effort whistles past the right edge. He drops back to one under. Woods races his past and he’s still got work to do....but he can’t make the return putt. Another three-putt for him and his third bogey of the day.

Meronk saves par

16:55 , Ben Fleming

Meronk -2 (11)

Playing his first Masters and Meronk has dealt with Amen Corner well at the first time of asking. He hits a laser iron into the 10th and makes birdie before a tidy up and down ensures par on the 11th. He remains one back of the lead.

Hovland makes birdie on six

16:48 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -3 (6), Woods +2 (6), Schauffele -2 (6)

All three hit excellent tee shots into the par-three sixth. Schauffele goes first but his effort slides to the left. It’s a tentative putt from Woods who somehow leaves his downhill putt short but Hovland makes no mistake, using Schauffele’s earlier effort as a guide and he moves into a share of the lead with Young.

Young makes par at four

16:43 , Ben Fleming

Young -3 (4), Rahm E (4), Thomas -2 (4)

Young finds the bunker but a good wedge from the sand gives him a look at par...and he makes it - he maintains his early lead at the top. Rahm and Thomas miss their birdie efforts and have to settle for par.

Schauffele saves par, Woods makes bogey

16:36 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -2 (5), Woods +2 (5), Schauffele -2 (5)

It’s a might fine up and down from Schauffele who saves par at the fifth. Hovland doesn’t give his putt enough pace down the slope and he makes par. Woods is cutting a frustrated figure - he’s sweating heavily and looks like he’s limping already - and his par putt effort catches the lip and he makes bogey.

Young moves into the lead

16:33 , Ben Fleming

Young -3 (3), Rahm E (3), Thomas -2 (3)

Cam Young, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas all make birdies with their makeable opportunities. Young now has three birdies in three and he’s all on his own at the top of the leaderboard.

Birdie chances at three

16:30 , Ben Fleming

Young -2 (2), Rahm +1 (2), Thomas -1 (2)

All three take on the shorter par-four third and all three with fine chips targetting the pin. Thomas lofts his in while Young and Rahm bump and run theirs into the bank but all three with makeable birdie opportunities.

Schauffele in trouble

16:28 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -2 (4), Woods +1 (4), Schauffele -2 (4)

Hovland gets into trouble with his drive but it’s a superb recovery from the pine straw to give him a look at birdie. Woods leaves his short and he’ll have to putt up the ridge while Schauffele flies his over the back of the green and he’ll have an awfully difficult chip with the green running away from him.

Scott into the lead

16:24 , Ben Fleming

Scott -2 (3)

The Australian follows up his birdie at the second with another at the par-four third after a delightful second shot. He’s now in a tie for the lead at the top as well.

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