The champion, eight strokes behind DeChambeau’s strong start, with Sergio García being the best Spaniard, seven
The first day, which started late due to bad weather, could not end due to lack of light
MADRID, 12 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm started his defense of the Augusta Masters, the first major of the season, badly, with a debut this Thursday of one over par that left him far from the strong start signed by Bryson DeChambeau (-7) or Scottie Scheffler (-6).
The 88th Masters was a long time coming, with a three-hour delay due to rain and the risk of a thunderstorm, and was complicated by a strong and gusty wind that affected especially in the afternoon. DeChambeau left that -7 just before the situation became complicated, and the world number one was only able to follow his line, pending the end of the day, postponed due to lack of light.
The rain also changed the conditions at Augusta National, with the greens being much softer and slower than normal, even in practice this week. The ball was heavy and ran little and, among others, it cost Rahm more than one birdie option. The Basque was -2 on the first nine, but his round went wrong, with four bogeys, two in a row on the 17th and 18th.
An unpleasant debut for Rahm who shook his head, much of his performance knowing that DeChambeau, also a member of LIV Golf, had placed that -7. The one from Barrika signed +1, the worst start among the favorites, while the best Spaniard was Sergio García. The one from Borriol showed that he had the game in good shape, almost winning in Miami last week.
The 2017 champion had a rough round, with one of lime and another of sand, bordering on derailing with a ‘double-bogey’ on the 12th hole. There, Sergio García was able to support his options with three ‘birdies’ in the stretch final, the 13th was very far away to regain confidence, and finish on par in the field. José María Olazabal finished with few options to make the cut (+5).
At the top, the head has illustrious suitors with a lot still to play for. DeChambeau is followed by one stroke from Scheffler, who nailed it without making a single bogey, in a match he shared with world number two, Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, once again seeking to close the ‘Grand Slam’, was a will and a miss, but he achieved his first round under par (-1) in the Masters since 2018.
Danny Willett, champion in 2016, is third with -4 and, from there, we will have to wait until Friday. The delay left a good handful of players without power, unable to complete the first 18 holes, which will have to be squeezed in on Friday with almost a day and a half. This is the case of Tiger Woods who, for the moment, is in the fight.
The 15-time major champion, who has barely competed in recent years since his serious traffic accident in 2021, seemed physically comfortable and, as he warned, with the intention of looking for his sixth green jacket. The ‘Tiger’ hit well from the tee and had a great putt, although he also came up short on several, saving par on the 13th for a provisional -1 ahead of the restart on Friday.
2024-04-12 00:11:35
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