SportGolf
Day one at Augusta National as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm all start quest for the green jacket
Bubba Watson’s daughter Dakota sinks putts ahead of The Masters
The first men’s golf major of the year has arrived as the best players in the world descend on Augusta National for The Masters, although storms initially delayed the start of day one.
Twelve months after pulling on the famous green jacket for the first time following an emotional victory dedicated to his hero Seve Ballesteros, Jon Rahm returns to defend his title with intrigue added by his blockbuster defection to the breakaway LIV Golf series.
Negotiations continue between the PGA Tour and LIV’s Saudi Arabian backers over a possible partnership but, for now, all eyes will be on the course as Rahm and his fellow rebels such as the always-dangerous Brooks Koepka take on those who have remained on Tour. They include the likes of 2022 winner and this year’s dominant player Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy in pursuit of a career grand slam and the Augusta-suited Jordan Spieth.
Golf legend Tiger Woods is set to play and says he’s targeting “one more green jacket” to take him to 16 major titles despite the pain he faces on the vast majority of shots at Augusta.
Follow live coverage of all the action below and get our tips for the winner here and the best special bets to target here:
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Erik van Rooyen joins the leaders
Erik van Rooyen rolls in from just off the ninth green to take the turn at three-under and, for now, in a share of the lead.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:43
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The Masters 2024
Delightful from Danny Willett! That’s a beautiful shot in conception and execution, sending his putt perilously close to the lip of one of the greenside bunkers on the seventh to ensure he catches the inviting slope to the hole. In it drops! He’s back up to two-under.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:38
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The Masters 2024
Ryan Fox shows off both sides of his game, a booming drive into the bunker on the third and a deft clip out of the sand ensuring a third consecutive birdie. Tidy work from the Kiwi, whose dad was pretty handy.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:34
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The Masters 2024
Indeed DeChambeau can. Right in the heart of the cup.
Here’s how things sit with the early starters:
-3 B DeChambeau
-2 E van Rooyen, R Fox,
-1 D Willett and four others
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:23
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Bryson DeChambeau off to a flyer
Three in three for Bryson DeChambeau! He takes the outright lead with another birdie, though finds the front bunker on four. Can he salvage a par? It’s a decent shot from the sand from the burlyman but still work to do.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:19
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The Masters 2024
A shot gone at the fifth for Danny Willett, losing his share of the lead. His putt slows and fades to the right of the hole. A bogey.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:10
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The Masters 2024
Phil Mickelson was the real surprise of last year’s Masters, rolling back the years to secure a tie for second. His form on the LIV series has been pretty hopeless since, but Lefty likes the big stage, and finds the first fairway.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 17:09
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The Masters 2024
Birdie, birdie for Bryson DeChambeau, using the slope intelligently to draw his third into scoring range from just off the green at the second hole. Erik van Rooyen has also joined Danny Willett at two-under.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 16:57
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The Masters 2024
Sergio Garcis is another of the LIV-ites out there, though his start is rather less pretty, the Spaniard refamiliarising himself with Augusta’s arboreal charms. He knocks out onto the fairway.
It’ll be hard to miss Garcia today.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 16:53
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The Masters 2024
Erik van Rooyen is playing nicely, too. It’s a pleasant enough pin position on six and the South African stands up his shot beautifully, leaving a very makeable birdie putt.
Jake Knapp matches him with an equally nice eight iron.
Bryson DeChambeau is up and way – a birdie at the first for the LIV launcher.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 April 2024 16:48
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