At Augusta National, expectations crumble faster than the edges of its devilish greens. The opening round of the 2025 Masters proved this timeless truth once again. Players arriving with confidence left the course shaken. Others came with questions and departed with answers.
The ceremonial tee shots from Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player kicked off the 89th Masters in style. Then the real action began. Players faced pristine conditions with sunshine and little wind, though Augusta’s greens remained characteristically firm and unforgiving.
While some conquered the course, others were thoroughly humbled. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler looked comfortable from the start. Justin Rose surged to a commanding lead. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy‘s quest for the career Grand Slam took a devastating turn.
Let’s dive into the most unforgettable moments from an action-packed Thursday at Augusta National.
1. Justin Rose’s record-breaking 65
Rose stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a stunning 7-under 65. The 44-year-old Englishman started hot with three consecutive birdies. He maintained his momentum with another birdie streak from Yellow Jasmine through Camellia (holes 8-10). Despite a bogey on Holly, the final hole, Rose finished three strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. This marked Rose’s fifth time leading after the opening round at Augusta. He broke Jack Nicklaus’ long-standing record in the process. “Golf is not going to get easier for me in the next years,” Rose admitted after his round. His performance was a masterclass in precision putting and strategic course management. The veteran showed why experience counts at Augusta National.
Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 9, 2021 England’s Justin Rose looks onto the 3rd green during the second round REUTERS/Mike Segar
2. Fred Couples’s dramatic eagle hole-out
Ageless wonder Fred Couples delivered one of the day’s most electric moments. At 65 years old, he holed out for eagle on Chinese Fir, the 14th, from 191 yards. The gallery erupted as his hybrid shot bounced once and disappeared into the cup. Couples celebrated with a fist pump and kissed his club in appreciation. This incredible shot moved him from 1-over to 1-under par. He ultimately finished with a remarkable 71. Couples became the second-oldest player in Masters history to break par in a round. His eagle reminded everyone why he remains a fan favorite at Augusta.
3. Nick Dunlap’s nightmare 90
The flip side of Augusta’s glory was on full display in Dunlap’s catastrophic round. He carded an 18-over-par 90, one of the worst rounds in recent Masters history. His scorecard revealed the carnage: a triple bogey on Magnolia (5th), double bogeys on White Dogwood (11th), Golden Bell (12th), Redbud (16th), and Holly (18th), plus seven bogeys. Not a single birdie appeared amid the wreckage.
Dunlap’s back-nine 47 epitomized Augusta’s ability to humiliate even skilled players. His round finished 11 strokes worse than the second-highest score of the day. This performance continued a troubling trend—his third score in the 80s across his last seven competitive rounds. Augusta National showed no mercy to a struggling Dunlap.
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