Justin Rose Shines, Rory McIlroy Falters in Dramatic First Round at the Masters

 April 11, 202

AUGUSTA, Ga. — England’s Justin Rose delivered a vintage performance on Thursday at Augusta National, firing a blistering seven-under-par 65 to seize a three-shot lead after the opening round of the 2025 Masters. His round, which equaled his personal best at the course, marked the fifth time he’s led after Round 1—a new tournament record.

Rose, 44, looked every bit the seasoned veteran, rolling in putts with surgical precision and navigating Augusta’s famously tricky greens with confidence. Despite a bogey on the final hole, Rose’s round included a dazzling stretch of six birdies in his first ten holes and a back-nine run that saw him briefly flirt with history.

“If you look at the leaderboard, not many low scores were out there,” Rose said after the round. “To come away with my equal-best score on a course I’ve known and respected for over 20 years feels incredibly special.”

The performance puts Rose in prime position to chase a long-awaited Green Jacket, one that has eluded him despite a 2013 U.S. Open title and several near-misses at Augusta, including a playoff loss to Sergio Garcia in 2017.

McIlroy’s Quest Hits a Bump

Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam ambitions took an early blow after a late-round collapse that included two double bogeys on the back nine. The world No. 2 began confidently, carding three birdies on the front nine and briefly reaching four under after a birdie on the 13th. But Augusta’s Amen Corner struck back.

An aggressive chip from behind the 15th green led to a disastrous double bogey after the ball trickled into the water. Another miscue at the 17th resulted in another double, forcing McIlroy to settle for an even-par 72. He left the course without speaking to media, heading straight to the practice area.

Scheffler Steady as Ever

Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler kept himself in the hunt with a bogey-free 68. Scheffler, who is chasing a third Green Jacket in four years, was solid throughout, highlighted by a 62-foot bomb for birdie on the fourth and a 42-foot conversion on the par-three 16th.

“Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it’s a really good thing,” Scheffler said. “The course was in front of me most of the day. I did a lot of good things.”

Scheffler shares second place with Canada’s Corey Conners and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, last year’s runner-up.

Rai Impresses in Debut

Englishman Aaron Rai made an eye-catching Masters debut, briefly holding the lead with a front-nine 32 before the infamous Amen Corner humbled him with three straight bogeys. Nonetheless, Rai rallied with two birdies in his final four holes to card a two-under 70, tying for seventh.

“So I’m very, very pleased with how it went overall,” Rai said. “It’s difficult to simulate this course until you’re in the flow of competition.”

Veterans and Legends Make Their Mark

The day also belonged to several Masters legends. Fred Couples, 65, thrilled patrons with a 191-yard eagle on the 14th en route to a one-under 71, making him only the second player his age to break par at Augusta.

Two-time champion Bernhard Langer, playing his 41st and final Masters, wore his 1985 victory outfit—an all-red ensemble—as he carded a respectable 74. He plans to don his 1993 winning colors for Friday’s round.

Meanwhile, 2009 champion Ángel Cabrera returned to Augusta following his release from prison, where he served time for charges including assault and theft. His three-over 75 was overshadowed by controversy, with women’s groups criticizing Augusta National’s decision to allow his return.

First-Round Leaderboard Highlights

-7: Justin Rose (Eng)
-4: Scottie Scheffler (US), Corey Conners (Can), Ludvig Åberg (Swe)
-3: Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Bryson DeChambeau (US)
-2: Aaron Rai (Eng), Harris English (US), Jason Day (Aus), Akshay Bhatia (US)
Even: Rory McIlroy (NI), Collin Morikawa (US), Sergio Garcia (Spa)
+1: Tommy Fleetwood (Eng)
+3: Danny Willett (Eng), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Jon Rahm (Spa)

As the second round looms, the leaderboard is stacked with major champions, rising stars, and sentimental favorites. But all eyes will be on Rose as he tries to turn another fast Masters start into a long-awaited finish.