AUGUSTA, Georgia: England’s Justin Rose used a red-hot putter to build a four-shot Masters clubhouse lead over defending champion Scottie Scheffler in the opening round on Thursday at Augusta National where Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy ran into trouble late.
Rose, twice a runner-up at the year’s first major, needed just 22 putts en route to a seven-under-par 65 that equaled his best start to a Masters and left him in control.
Rose had the world’s best golfer breathing down his neck, though, as twice champion Scheffler bids to become the fourth golfer to retain his Masters crown.
The 44-year-old Rose, who went out with the late starters, wasted no time making a move as he kicked off his round with three consecutive birdies and added another three in succession around the turn before back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16.
The only blemish on the card for Rose, who with a win here would become the oldest first-time Masters champion since a 41-year-old Mark O’Meara won in 1998, came at the 18th where he made bogey after his tee shot missed the fairway.
World number one Scheffler’s round included a huge birdie putt from 62 feet at the par-three fourth and a pair of up-and-down par saves after chipping out of greenside bunkers at both the seventh and 17th holes.
“Anytime you can keep a card clean out here it’s a really good thing... I struggled for what felt like two pars today,” said Scheffler.
“I had to make two really good up-and-downs. But, other than that, the golf course was in front of me most of the day, kept the ball in play, did a lot of really good things out there.”
World number two McIlroy, who seems to be hampered by one poor round each week at the Masters, was three shots back of Rose before a double-bogey at the reachable par-five 15th.
The Northern Irishman was cruising along with a clean card until the 15th where his approach shot sailed over the green and he then watched helplessly as his chip rolled off the slick putting surface and into the pond.
McIlroy, who came into the Masters with two PGA Tour titles before April for the first time in his career and as a popular pick to win a first Green Jacket, still had three holes to play in his opening round.
Former champion and fan favorite Fred Couples, making his 40th Masters start, carded a one-under 71 that was highlighted by an eagle from 191 yards at the par-four 14th.
Among the other notables who went out late, LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau was two under through 14, Xander Schauffele was one over through 16 and 2023 champion Jon Rahm was three over after 14 holes.
“Today I’m happy as a clam,” said Couples.
Rose grabs three-shot Masters clubhouse lead over Scheffler
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Rose grabs three-shot Masters clubhouse lead over Scheffler
- Justin Rose had the world’s best golfer breathing down his neck
- World number one Scottie Scheffler’s round included a huge birdie putt from 62 feet at the par-three fourth
Local golfers to compete alongside world's best at Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
- Bahraini talent secure places through national qualifying route as game’s growth continues in the Kingdom
BAHRAIN: Three Bahraini golfers will tee off alongside DP World Tour stars at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, which takes place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, having earned their places through the Kingdom's national qualifying pathway.
Ahmed Al-Zayed, Khalifa Al-Maraisi and Ali Mohamed Al-Kowari earned their places through the Kingdom’s qualifying pathway and will represent Bahrain at the Royal Golf Club in the third edition of the tournament, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
They will be joined by England's Tom Sloman, who earned a professional invitation as winner of the King Hamad Trophy, and Malaysia's Zubair Firdaus, champion of the Bahrain Amateur Open.
The local qualifiers will compete alongside a stellar field that includes three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington, current Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper, past winner Dylan Frittelli, and 2025 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Martin Couvra.
The Bahraini trio secured their spots through different routes. Al-Zayed was the best Bahraini finisher at the King Hamad Trophy, Al-Maraisi topped the Bahrain Golf Association rankings in 2025, and Al-Kowari came through the National Team Qualifying Tournament.
For Al-Zayed, who carries a +2.4 handicap, it marks a proud return to the championship.
“I’m so proud to be playing in this championship,” he said. “This is my second time participating in this event. I would like to thank Bapco Energies for organizing the biggest event in the country and the Bahrain Golf Association for giving national team players the chance to participate. I’m focused on representing my country in the best way and looking forward to playing with the best tour players to gain more experience.”
Al-Kowari, also playing off +2.4, will make his second consecutive appearance at the tournament after a hard-fought qualifying campaign.
“I'm very happy to play in this great tournament again,” he said. “It wasn't easy to get the spot, but we did it eventually. We played four days for the national team qualifier — it was really, really windy — but in the end we did it. I had some really good rounds and got the spot.”
The qualifying pathway highlights how hosting the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship is helping to develop the game across the Kingdom, providing local players with experience of competing at the highest level.
The tournament follows the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic — the first Rolex Series event of the season — as part of the DP World Tour's International Swing and features a prize fund of $2.75 million.
