Tiger Woods display stuns golf world as Aussies struggle early in brutal Masters scenes
The Aussies had a mixed day in windy conditions at the Masters.
Tiger Woods has defied his critics and started the Masters with a solid -1 after 13 holes with a number of big name Aussies struggling in the tough conditions on day one. LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau produced one of his best days of golf in recent months having finished the day -7 in front of fellow American Scottie Scheffler.
Cam Davis was the best of the Aussies having finished -3 in a brilliant day only four off the American leader. Cameron Smith battled the elements and finished -1, but was still in with the pack after the first day, which proved tough on the greens. But all eyes were on 15-time major winner Woods as he finished the days play with a double par.
The American admitted before play he was adamant he could break Jack Nicklaus' record as the oldest champion, despite only being a part-time player and admitting that he "aches" every day due to a series of career-threatening injuries over the years. "If it all comes together, I think I can get one more," Woods said.
And he has put himself in contention early with a -1 finish before play was suspended due to a delayed start on Thursday. Woods started the day with a birdie and looked to be hitting the ball well down the fairway.
His short game was brilliant all day having saved himself on the 10th from the bunker with a brilliant chip on to the green for par. Fans went wild for Woods, who hasn't played since the Genesis Open in February.
He’s always been a joy to watch. Always. Happy just to get cameos these days. It’s better than nothing. #TigerWoods #themasters pic.twitter.com/yw4ycvzWF8
— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy) April 11, 2024
What Tiger Woods did today is not being talked about enough. It was remarkable given all circumstances.
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) April 12, 2024
I don’t know what it is, but watching @TigerWoods play golf never gets old.
That chip on 11 was so, so good.— Preston McClellan (@p_mcclellan) April 11, 2024
The artist at work. 🙌@TigerWoods had his short game dialed today as he closes out the round 1-under through 13 holes. #MG4Wedge
pic.twitter.com/uKu7R0gLRq— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) April 12, 2024
Tiger Woods looks good. Really good! Don't need to get carried away after 13 holes but damn, he hit some creative shots and survived the wind pretty well. That chip shot on 11 was ridiculous.
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) April 12, 2024
Cam Smith thrilled after disrupted Masters preparation
The conditions were wet and windy at Augusta and a number of Aussies battled. Jason Day and former champion Adam Scott finished level with the card. Day played with Woods on day one and managed to rally with birdies on the eighth and 10th to finish even and insight of the leaders.
Unfortunately, talented Aussie Min Woo Lee will have to fight to make the halfway cut after finishgin two-over 74. Lee endured a brutal lead-up to the tournament having played with the flu and a broken finger from a freak dumbbell accident last week.
And he wasn't the only one dealing with a tough build-up to the tournament. Smith admitted he was happy to have finished -1 having also been under the weather ahead of the Masters.
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"Just with the prep not being probably as good as I wanted it to be, and then the conditions today were pretty tough," Smith said. "I struck the ball really well and probably didn't have my best day with the putter. It was pretty tough on the greens, to be fair, anyway, kind of gusty and fast.
"I've just got a little bit of clean-up to do with the putter and should be good." The 2017 Australian Open winner, Davis, leads the Aussie charge having only dropped one shot all day in a brilliant performance.
