Justin Rose takes an early lead at Augusta National, aiming to finally secure the coveted green jacket after previous near misses. (AP/David J. Phillip)
- Justin Rose sets a Masters record by leading after the first round for the fifth time, surpassing Jack Nicklaus.
- Despite previous leads, Rose seeks his first green jacket, hoping to maintain his advantage through the second round.
- Defending champion Scottie Scheffler starts strong, while Bernhard Langer aims to make the cut in his final Masters.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Justin Rose broke a Masters record he previously shared with Jack Nicklaus, which would suggest he’s in the best company at Augusta National.
Rose began the Masters with a 7-under 65 to build a three-shot lead, the fifth time he has had at least a share of the lead after one round. Nicklaus did that four times.
Nicklaus has six Masters green jackets. Rose has none.
Chasing the Green Jacket
“I feel like I’ve played well enough to win this tournament,” Rose said. “I just feel like I don’t have the jacket to prove it.”
That was key to the second round Friday, when some overnight rain slightly softened the course and Rose set out for a morning round with minimal wind. This was an opportunity to build even more separation, similar to what Jordan Spieth did in 2015 when he followed a three-shot lead with a Friday morning tee time.
Related Story: Rory McIlroy Wins Players Title, Builds Momentum for the Masters
Building on the Lead
Rose started well enough with a birdie on the par-5 second hole to reach 8 under. Rory McIlroy also played in the morning and tried to shake off his sloppy finish of two double bogeys over the final four holes that left him at a pedestrian 72 and a lot of ground to make up.
The previous four times Rose was atop the leaderboard going into Friday, he broke par only once. That was in 2004, when he started 67-71. And then he shot 81 on Saturday.
Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and No. 1 player in the world, opened with a 68 with very little stress. He played in the afternoon.
Related Story: Tiger Woods Ruptured His Achilles Tendon, Likely Causing Him to Miss the Masters
Making the Cut
Starting well is key to the Masters. Only twice in the last 20 years has the eventual champion been outside the top 10 after the first round. The last player was Tiger Woods (tie for 11th) in 2019. Before that it was Woods, who was tied for 33rd in 2005.
Also in play Friday was the 36-hole cut of top 50 and ties. Jon Rahm was among those on the outside when the round began.
And then there was Bernhard Langer, a two-time Masters champion who at 67 is competing at Augusta National for the last time. He was just inside the top 50 and would love nothing more than to finish his Masters career on Sunday instead of Friday.
AP Masters coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/the-masters
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