Highlights & Reaction To Round 1 Of The 2023 Masters | Sportscenter

Tiger Woods took the course at the Masters with high hopes of taking advantage of the perfect scoring conditions. But unfortunately, he couldn't quite figure it out around the course. The problem for Tiger was mostly with his putting. Early on in the round, he missed several putts inside of 10 feet, which is highly unusual for him. It seemed that the speed control of his putts was off, and he struggled to find his rhythm. As a result, he ended up three over par after just seven holes.

One particular moment that highlighted Tiger's putting woes was at the fifth hole. He had a two-part putt from the front part of the green, but he ended up lifting it out. This was after already missing a couple of shorter putts earlier in the round. Then, at the seventh hole, he had a 30-footer putt coming up the hill, but he rolled it well past the hole. The speed control of his putts was definitely a problem for him in the early part of the round.

Despite his struggles on the greens, Tiger managed to make a great shot on the par 5 eighth hole. After cutting it over the trees, he hit a blind shot that almost went in for an eagle. This shot seemed to ignite a spark in him, and he started to find some rhythm in the later part of his round. He made some key birdie putts and managed to get back to just one over par.

However, his round took a turn for the worse at the 11th hole. After getting into a difficult spot, he had a bunker shot that proved to be almost as challenging as the shot before. He ended up bogeying the hole. Tiger continued to battle and hit some impressive shots, but ultimately, his round ended with a disappointing score of two over par.

John Rahm's Stunning Performance

While Tiger struggled, John Rahm had an exceptional round at the Masters. Despite starting with a double bogey on the first hole, Rahm managed to bounce back and play near-perfect golf for the rest of his round. He hit every fairway, missed only one green by an inch, and made some outstanding birdies.

One of the highlights of Rahm's round was his incredible shot on the par 5 eighth hole. He hit a beautiful long iron around the trees and landed it on the front part of the green. The ball released all the way back to the hole, and he knocked it in for an eagle. He continued to impress with his short game skills, including a fantastic third shot on the par 5 15th hole.

Rahm's round ended with a score of 65, the lowest score in history at the Masters for someone who started with a double bogey on the first hole. His performance was truly exceptional, and it showcased his talent and skill around the greens.

Brooks Koepka's Confidence and Power

Brooks Koepka was another player who stood out during the first round of the Masters. He looked to be in complete control, hitting powerful shots and displaying confidence on the course. Koepka's strength and ability to use his legs to generate power played a significant role in his success.

One of the standout moments for Koepka was his approach shot on the par 5 eighth hole. He managed to overpower the par five holes, hitting a perfect shot that landed on the green. He utilized the slope to his advantage, getting the ball back close to the hole. Koepka's driving accuracy was also impressive, as he only missed two fairways throughout the round.

Koepka's confidence and skill have been evident in major championships, as he has taken the lead after the first round in 14 separate occasions since 2017. He has a proven track record of thriving in the face of competition.

After his round, Koepka expressed his eagerness to compete at Augusta, now that he is healthy. In recent years, he has struggled with injuries, but now that he is fully recovered, he feels confident in his abilities.

Conclusion

The first round of the Masters brought both triumphs and challenges for the players. While Tiger Woods struggled on the greens, John Rahm showcased his exceptional short game skills. Brooks Koepka demonstrated his confidence and power, setting himself up as a top contender in the tournament.

As the competition continues, it remains to be seen how these players will fare in the face of changing weather conditions. But one thing is for sure: the Masters always brings excitement and unpredictability, making it a tournament worth watching.