The 2023 Masters is finally underway. A field of 86 players — reduced following the withdrawals of Kevin Na and Will Zalatoris — took on Augusta National Golf Club with aspirations of slipping on the famed green jacket by Sunday. Highlighted by the three-headed monster atop the golf world that is reigning champion Scottie Scheffler, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy (seeking the career grand slam in his ninth try) and 2021 U.S. Open winner Jon Rahm, this year’s field features a litany of players with a realistic chance to make history.
Rahm was the one member of this triumvirate to retain his power — at least temporarily. Firing a 7-under 65 in Round 1, Rahm bounced back from an opening-hole double bogey and played himself into a share of the 18-hole lead. The Spaniard will aim to keep the momentum rolling into Friday at 1:18 p.m. ET alongside Cameron Young (-5) and Justin Thomas (-2) in one of the more competitive groups of the day.
The world No. 3 shares that lead with a fellow European in Viktor Hovland. The young Norwegian was simply flawless alongside Xander Schauffele and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods on Thursday. While Hovland and Schauffele attempt to position themselves for a weekend run at the green jacket, Woods just hopes to be present while aiming to make the cut for a 23rd straight Masters, which would tie an all-time record.
Woods will need a mighty effort on Friday if he is to be around for the final 36 holes. His group begins Round 2 a couple spots ahead of Rahm and Co. at 12:54 p.m. And before the two European headmen get going, it is the American co-leader who will have the chance to separate. Four-time major champion…
Source : cbssports
