The 42

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER HAS made a strong start to defending his Masters title after carding a four-under 68 on the opening day at Augusta.

The world number one made an early statement of intent with an exceptional putt from 62 feet to birdie the fourth, and also rolled in a 42-foot putt to birdie the 16th. He enjoyed a bogey-free round to put him in a solid position to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only players to win two straight Masters titles.

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Scheffler sits alongside Corey Connors in a share of second place after the Canadian also finished his first round with a four-under 68. Connors had just one bogey today on the fifth but picked up three birdies in his last four holes to take him to four-under.

Justin Rose currently leads the field on six-under through 12. He got off to a blistering start with three birdies in a row and picked up three more on the eighth, ninth and 10th holes to put him two shots in front.

The 44-year-old has had at least a share of the first-round lead at Augusta National four times, most recently in 2021.

62 feet for birdie. Scheffler reaches two under par for the Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/4McwujgliJ

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Tyrrell Hatton is among the early frontrunners with a three-under 69, while Aaron Rai, Harris English and Jason Day all finished their opening rounds on two-under 70.

Rory McIlroy is creeping up to that group of early leaders after a birdie on nine to put him on three-under. Shane Lowry has also just picked up a birdie and is one-under through eight.

Written by Sinead Farrell and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.