When the 2025 Masters began, it didn’t take long for the story to unfold, and it was an unexpected one.
While there was a bizarre moment involving a Spanish amateur and Rae’s Creek, it was the brilliance of Justin Rose that truly captivated attention.
The 44-year-old English golfer delivered a dazzling round of 65, putting him at the top of the leaderboard after Day 1.
This early lead wasn’t just a fluke—it’s a place Rose knows all too well, having been here before.
It’s now his fifth time leading after the first round at Augusta, a remarkable feat, though one that’s also been bittersweet in the past, with previous attempts falling short of securing the green jacket.
A Remarkable Day for Rose and the Competition
Rose’s opening round was near flawless, especially on the front nine, where he carded a near-unbelievable 31.
As he made the turn to the back nine, the prospect of breaking the first-round record of 63 seemed within reach. But a drive into the trees on the 18th hole cost him a bogey, leaving him at seven-under-par.
Despite this, his three-shot lead over the competition is more than enough to keep him in a commanding position.
The closest contenders—two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners, and Ludvig Åberg—are all sitting three strokes behind, while Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton are four back.
Hatton’s round of 69 suggests he’s finally found a way to conquer a course that’s long been his nemesis.
The Rollercoaster of Rory McIlroy’s Day
Rory McIlroy’s day was a different story. After a solid start, he found himself unraveling toward the end of the round, with two double bogeys in his final four holes.
This wasn’t the smooth Augusta journey many had hoped for from McIlroy. On the 15th, a misjudged approach led to a ball rolling off the green and into the water, while a mistake on the 17th sealed his fate.
By the time he finished with a 72, his hopes for a strong opening day were dashed.
It was a disappointing turn of events for McIlroy, whose relationship with Augusta is notoriously complicated.
The Unlikely Drama Involving Jose Luis Ballester
In a strange twist, the day also saw the spotlight fall on Jose Luis Ballester, a 21-year-old amateur who made headlines for an unusual reason.
On the 13th hole, Ballester was caught short and was seen relieving himself in Rae’s Creek, a moment that raised eyebrows around Augusta.
Whether this moment will be remembered with a chuckle or with some level of reprimand remains to be seen, but it certainly added a surreal note to an already unpredictable day at the Masters.
Justin Rose Reflects on His Performance
For Rose, this was a fantastic return to form. Despite some struggles earlier this year, where he missed the cut in half of his tournaments, he showed up on Day 1 with a purpose.
Speaking about his performance, Rose said, “My good is good again.”
The confidence was evident, and he acknowledged that although his consistency has wavered this year, his peak performance is still competitive.
With a solid second-place finish at The Open last summer, Rose knows what it takes to challenge for the title at Augusta, even though the elusive green jacket has remained out of reach for him in the past.
Scottie Scheffler Plays It Safe but Efficiently
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, who’s aiming for a third Masters win, quietly made his way around Augusta with a steady 68.
His round didn’t feature the fireworks of Rose’s opening, but Scheffler’s resilience and patience were evident, particularly when he drained monster putts from 62 and 42 feet on the fourth and 16th holes.
The two-time champion also made crucial sand saves on the seventh and 17th holes, completing a bogey-free round.
As his recovery from hand surgery earlier this year seems to be fully behind him, Scheffler’s ability to stay within himself will be a critical factor in the coming days.
The Masters Field: Other Key Performances
Not to be overlooked, another Englishman, Aaron Rai, found himself in the top 10 after an impressive start.
Despite bogeying the famous Amen Corner stretch, he managed to finish with a 70, sitting two-under-par.
Rai’s tee-to-green game was superb, though his struggles on the back nine kept him from pushing further up the leaderboard.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry, who have both had difficult seasons, carded respectable rounds of 71, while McIlroy’s frustrations left him far from where he wanted to be.
The 2025 Masters is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, with plenty of big names vying for the title, and after Day 1, it’s clear that anything can happen.
Rose’s early lead gives him a solid foundation, but with Scheffler, Conners, and others in hot pursuit, the race is wide open.
It’s going to be a captivating few days at Augusta.