The Masters: Rose sets Augusta pace as McIlroy crumbles

Rose, appearing at Augusta National for the 20th time, has twice finished as runner-up at the Masters.

But he posted a stunning seven-under-par 65, matching his best effort at the event, to hold a three-shot lead over the chasing pack by the time he went back into the clubhouse.

That pack includes reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, along with Ludvig Aberg and Corey Conners.

"I went out there with the mentality of being really clear, really patient, and just got off to a flyer," said 44-year-old Rose, whose only blemish came on the 18th.

"I just got up and running, from that moment I felt I was playing the golf course well, began to develop a lot of confidence and began to feel there was a good round in me.

"It was just 18 I guess, got unstuck. It was a great day. All week I've been bubbling away, feeling decent on the range but not bringing it to the course."

Dialed. #themasters pic.twitter.com/pLAv8BYdHB

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Rose has taken a competition record, having now led after the first round on five occasions at Augusta, surpassing the previous benchmark of four that he shared with the great Jack Nicklaus.

Scheffler, meanwhile, carded a bogey-free 68. The two-time champion is hoping to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002 to win successive editions of the Masters.

"Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it's a really good thing," said Scheffler.

"I struggled for what felt like two pars today. I had to make two really good up-and-downs.

"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."

Bryson DeChambeau enjoyed a late surge up towards the top of the leaderboard, though it was the opposite scenario for Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman, who has not won a major since collecting the most recent of his four titles in 2014, looked well set through 14 holes, sharing second with Scheffler and Conners, yet an almighty wobble saw him double-bogey the 15th and 17th to fall way off the pace.

He will go into round two three shots or more back from the leader for the seventh consecutive Masters.

Justin Rose last Thursday: Shank.Justin Rose this Thursday: Leading the Masters by 3! pic.twitter.com/rOfErn6yTI

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2025

Patrick Reed, champion in 2018, hit out at his putting, as he carded a one-under 71.

"Hit it fine, missed it in the wrong spots, and putted like a blind man," he said.

"I expected the greens, just from previous years when they kind of have that type of look, I just kept leaving putts short. When I finally got the ball to the hole, didn't have the right read. Hit the ball fine and putted horribly.

"It's not good enough. You're not going to win golf tournaments putting the way I putted today. You've got to give putts a chance. Leaving them short, there's just no need for that. You want to break it. You want to break the putter. That's what you want to do."

Joining Reed on one under was 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples. At 65, he is the second-oldest player to shoot under par at Augusta.

"Today is a hell of a round. I am exhausted," Couples said. "I can play golf. I can play around here. If the weather is like this and not hard, I can – as long as I don't do crazy things – I can shoot 73 or 4 or 5. That's not embarrassing myself at all."