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
Soccer-Senegal to get bonuses, land for Africa Cup of Nations win
- The bonuses of $134,892.09 for each of the squad’s 28 players total $3.7 million
- The players will also receive 1,500 square-meter plots of land
DAKAR: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s soccer team following their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
He spoke at a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Tuesday night during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.
Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.
After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words “African champions” along Dakar’s corniche toward the presidential palace.
The bonuses of 75 million CFA francs ($134,892.09) for each of the squad’s 28 players total 2.1 billion CFA francs or $3.7 million. The players will also receive 1,500 square-meter plots of land.
In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-meter plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-meter plots.
He said sports ministry staff would receive 305 million CFA francs in bonuses.
SENEGAL FACES DEBT WOES
The pledges come as Senegal grapples with debts that the International Monetary Fund said hit 132 percent of GDP at the end of 2024 after the current leadership uncovered billions in debts that were not reported by the previous administration.
The IMF froze a $1.8 billion lending program over the controversy, forcing Senegal to rely heavily on regional debt auctions to meet its financing needs.
The new IMF mission chief traveled to Senegal for an introductory visit this week.
“Dear Lions, you have honored the flag entrusted to you. You have honored Senegal. You have shown by example that when Senegalese people move forward together with discipline and confidence, no challenge is beyond their reach,” Faye said on Tuesday while speaking on a stage in front of the presidential palace.
Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021, beating Egypt in the final. Back then, players were awarded bonuses worth 50 million CFA francs and 200 square-meter plots of land.
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, said in December that the winners of the 35th edition in Morocco would receive $10 million in prize money.
