Veterans Shine as Rahm Struggles in Opening Round at Augusta

The first day of the Masters at Augusta National delivered a surprising reversal of fortunes for the Spanish contingent on Friday, April 10, 2026. While the veteran presence of José María Olazabal and Sergio García provided stability and early sparks, former champion Jon Rahm endured what has been described as a “calvary,” posting the worst score among the three Spaniards.

In a day defined by volatility, Olazabal and García managed to navigate the treacherous Georgia greens with far more composure than the world-renowned Rahm, who struggled to find any rhythm in his opening 18 holes.

El de Hondarribia (+2) y el de Borriol (PAR) mejoraron el pobre desempeño de Jon Rahm (+6)

The Veterans’ Resurgence

José María Olazabal, hailing from Hondarribia, provided one of the morning’s most compelling narratives. Starting as one of the earliest players on the course, Olazabal played a “dignified” round that saw him hold the lead for over an hour. Though he eventually finished the day at 2-over par (+2), his early dominance offered a glimpse of the precision that has defined his career.

Sergio García, the 2017 Green Jacket winner from Borriol, found a different kind of success. Playing with a lack of pressure and high solidity, García finished his round at even par (PAR), recording a 72. His performance keeps him comfortably within the top 20 of the leaderboard.

Despite the solid result, García remained characteristically self-critical. Speaking to the media after his round, he described his performance in pessimistic terms, stating, “I have failed many shots,” while maintaining a visibly defeated tone despite his standing.

The Rahm Collapse

The story of the day, however, was the unexpected struggle of Jon Rahm. In a result few would have predicted, Rahm carded a 6-over par (+6), the worst score of the Spanish trio. It was a grueling outing for the Barrika native, marking his first round at Augusta without a single birdie.

Rahm, who won the Masters in 2023, offered no excuses for the poor performance. “There is no excuse, everything failed. I have to move on,” Rahm lamented, acknowledging that the round was a significant disappointment.

A Moment of Brilliance on the 17th

While the overall score was a point of frustration for García, the round featured a moment of technical mastery on the 17th hole. García described his second shot on the hole—a 4-iron from a nearly impossible position—as the best shot of his Masters history.

Facing 181 yards to the pin after a poor drive that left him significantly off-line, García opted for a daring shot to open the ball roughly 60 to 70 meters to reach the edge of the green. The shot landed precisely where intended, though a subsequent putt failed to drop. For a player who has recorded 6,069 total shots across 27 Masters appearances, this single stroke stood out as a highlight of his career at Augusta.

García noted that the demanding conditions of the course on Thursday were exactly “how this course should be played,” despite the setbacks he faced on the 11th and 15th holes, where a ball sunk in a fairway dip and a wind shift, respectively, led to lost strokes.

By the Numbers: Day 1 Spanish Standings

Context and Implications

For global golf fans, the contrast in form is stark. Rahm entered the tournament as a powerhouse, but his inability to secure a birdie on Day 1 puts him in a deep hole. Conversely, García’s ability to remain at par suggests he is still a threat if he can shake his pessimistic outlook and maintain his current solidity.

The presence of Rory McIlroy, who reportedly remains “on a roll,” adds further pressure to the field as the tournament progresses. For the Spanish veterans, the goal now is to build on the momentum of a steady start, while Rahm faces the daunting task of recovering from his worst-ever round at the venue.

The tournament continues at Augusta National, with players looking to adjust their strategies for the remaining rounds. Stay tuned for official leaderboard updates as the second round commences.

What do you consider of Rahm’s surprising start? Let us recognize in the comments below.