Justin Rose storms into Masters lead, McIlroy stumbles late

AUGUSTA – Justin Rose said he has played well enough to win the Masters, but lacks a Green Jacket to show for it, a void the first-round leader intends to fill on April 13.

The Briton grabbed a three-shot lead over a trio who included defending champion Scottie Scheffler on April 10 at Augusta National, where the Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy ran into trouble late.

Rose, twice a runner-up at the year’s first Major, needed just 25 putts en route to a seven-under 65 that equalled the Englishman’s best start to a Masters.

It is also the fifth time he has had the first-round lead or co-lead at the Masters, surpassing Jack Nicklaus for the most in history.

“It was a really good day’s golf on a golf course that was a stern test. I think if you look at the overall leaderboard, not many low scores out there,” Rose, 44, told reporters.

“A lot of quality shots, and delighted the way I played. I feel like I’ve played well enough to win this tournament. I just feel like I don’t have the jacket to prove it.

“It’s a compliment. I’ve obviously played a lot of good rounds of golf here... ultimately, you want to be last man standing on Sunday.”

World No. 1 Scheffler, who is looking to become the fourth man to retain his Masters crown, was joint-second with 2024 runner-up Ludvig Aberg of Sweden and Canada’s Corey Conners.

Rose, who went out with the late starters, kicked off his round with three consecutive birdies and added another three in succession around the turn before back-to-back birdies at Nos. 15 and 16.

The only blemish for Rose, who could become the oldest first-time Masters champion since Mark O’Meara won in 1998 aged 41, came at the 18th where he bogeyed after his tee shot missed the fairway.

Scheffler’s round included a huge birdie putt from 62 feet at the par-three fourth and a pair of par saves after brilliant chips out of the greenside bunkers at the seventh and 17th holes.

“Any time you can keep a card clean out here it’s a really good thing... I struggled for what felt like two pars today. I had to make two really good up-and-downs,” said the American.

“But, other than that, the golf course was in front of me most of the day, kept the ball in play, did a lot of really good things out there.”

With that long putt at the 240-yard fourth hole, Scheffler has now made at least one birdie on all 18 holes at Augusta National during his career.

Conners birdied three of his final four holes, while Aberg, playing in his second Masters, vaulted into contention with four back-nine birdies.

“This place, experience goes a long way and I felt like we played a very disciplined round of golf today,” Aberg said. “(I’m) proud of the way that I finished and looking forward to (Friday).”

Fan favourite Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time Major winner and one of 12 LIV Golf members in the 95-player field, was in a share of second place until a late bogey dropped him into joint-fifth.

World No. 2 McIlroy, needing a Masters win to complete the career Grand Slam but who seems to be hampered by one poor round each week at the Masters, was two back of Rose before a crushing double-bogey at the par-five 15th.

The Northern Irishman was cruising along with a clean card until everything changed at the 15th, where his approach shot sailed over the green, and he then watched helplessly as his chip rolled off the slick surface and into the pond.

McIlroy, who came into the Masters with two PGA Tour titles before April for the first time in his career, then double-bogeyed 17 after missing the green and three-putting from 28 feet.

The four-time Major winner settled for a 72 that leaves him with plenty to do if he wants to become the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.

For McIlroy, who is in a share of 27th place, it marked the first time he has carded multiple double-bogeys or worse in a round at the Masters since the second round of the 2014 edition.

Among the other notables, 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm struggled to a 75 while Xander Schauffele, seeking a third win in four Majors following triumphs at the PGA Championship and British Open in 2024, opened with a 73.

Former champion Fred Couples, 65 and making his 40th Masters start, carded a 71 that was highlighted by an eagle from 191 yards at the par-four 14th. He not only finished in a share of 11th place, but also as the second-oldest to break par in a round at Augusta National after Tom Watson in 2015.

Singaporean amateur Hiroshi Tai carded a 73, with two birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey, for joint 38th spot. REUTERS, AFP