By Elishya Perera
AUGUSTA, Georgia (CWBN)_ The Masters has a different feel to it this year – not only was the tournament delayed 218 days from its traditional schedule, at every shot and every turn yesterday (Nov 12th), everyone was reminded of the missing fans.
However, the opening day did have a few thrilling moments, and as the announcer said, “Greatness realized without thunderous applause is no less great.”
Defending champion, Tiger Woods, drew on his vast experience at Augusta National to complete a bogey-free opening round with a 68.
Even though many had written off Woods after his poor performance this year, he cleverly plotted his way around the course.
Woods did have one moment where he thought trouble might lurk in the fifth hole, which he bogeyed all four rounds last year when he won the Masters. He hit a low fade off the tee that left him 227 yards to the hole.
“Hit a 4-iron to the back edge and it only rolled out a foot,” Woods said. “That doesn’t happen here.”
Meanwhile, Paul Casey of England, who finished tied second at the PGA Championship at Harding Park, also kept a bogey off his card on his way to a 7-under 65, with five birdies and an eagle.
Casey found energy from the familiarity of the course and it was enough to carry him to a round he needed on a day of low scoring.
Casey has also been practicing hard in the build up to the Masters. “I have blisters on my hands. A lot of work in a small amount of time has paid off and translated on to the golf course today,” he told Sky Sports.
On the other hand, US Open Champion, Bryson DeChambeau, is off to a catastrophic start, as he smashed shots into trees and one shot into the azaleas bushes behind the 13th green, while his provisional shot went into the creek. He still made double bogey, though he managed to scratch out a 70.
Even though silence was expected since majors haven’t had spectators in 16 months, however, the deafening roars of a live audience was definitely missed, and the rain which caused a near three-hour delay to play, was definitely not a welcomed addition either.
The first tee times had to be delayed by 10 minutes to allow the sun to illuminate proceedings sufficiently, and then just 30 minutes of play was possible before lightning in the area stopped play. Only nine players managed to complete a hole before play was suspended.
Edited By Chathushka Perera
