The German golf newcomer Stephan Jäger got off to a mixed start in his first Masters. The 34-year-old from Munich played a 74 on the first round at the legendary Magnolia Lane in Augusta, Georgia, remaining two shots over par.
On Friday, Jäger, who made three bogeys on the last five holes of the day, will have to improve to survive the cut after two rounds. Last year the decisive mark was three strokes over par.
The first impressive benchmark was set by former US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau, whose 65 was seven shots under par.
Strong start
Jäger also started well, playing eight pars and one birdie on the out nine, which meant he was one shot below the course standard at the halfway point of the round. But the debutant couldn’t confirm this on the way back to the clubhouse. Jäger received bogeys on the eleventh, 14th, 15th and 18th holes, and only managed a birdie on the 13th.
The start had previously turned into a test of patience. Due to rain, the start of the first round had to be postponed by two and a half hours. Jäger only started his premiere lap at 10:54 a.m. local time – not at 8:24 a.m.
The US Masters will take place for the 88th time until Sunday and has prize money of $18 million. The defending champion is the Spaniard Jon Rahm. Jäger qualified for the first major of the year with the surprising victory on Easter Sunday in Houston, Texas.
Jäger is the only German in the field after two-time champion Bernhard Langer, who has lifelong right to compete, is missing after tearing his Achilles tendon in mid-February.
