Scottie Scheffler kicked off his Masters title defence with a steady par on Thursday at Augusta National.
The world No. 1, aiming to join Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods as the only players to win back-to-back green jackets, split the fairway with his first swing and calmly two-putted from 31 feet after a textbook approach.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann stole the early spotlight, charging out of the gate with back-to-back birdies to join a crowded leaderboard at two-under-par. The Chilean was tied with Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and 2007 Masters champ Zach Johnson, both of whom also capitalized on Augusta’s forgiving early conditions.
Niemann’s hot start underscores the growing presence of LIV Golf’s 12 players in this year’s 95-man field, a group that includes heavy hitters like defending champion Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who tee off later in the day.
Just behind Scheffler, a marquee trio of three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley brought star power to the morning wave.
A few groups back, Rory McIlroy, currently No. 2 in the world and in razor-sharp form, hunted for the elusive Masters victory that would complete his career Grand Slam, joining legends like Woods, Nicklaus, and Gary Player as the only men to hold all four majors.
At 67, Bernhard Langer, the oldest player in the field, turned back the clock in his 41st and final Masters appearance. The two-time champion sat one-under through six holes, a testament to his enduring skill on a course he’s mastered twice.
Elsewhere, Xander Schauffele, fresh off wins at the PGA Championship and The Open in 2024, loomed as a threat, grouped with Adam Scott and Viktor Hovland one slot behind McIlroy.
Augusta’s weather played its part, with crisp morning temps warming to a pleasant 75°F (24°C) by afternoon, ideal for the late starters like Rahm and DeChambeau.
As of now, Scheffler remains the man to beat, but Niemann and the early movers have set a lively pace at the year’s first major.
