AUGUSTA, Ga. – Defending champion Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler surged into contention Thursday during the first round of the 90th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Sam Burns posted a 5-under 67 to claim the early clubhouse lead, while Patrick Reed ignited the field with a historic start featuring two eagles on the front nine.
Key Takeaways:
- Sam Burns leads the Masters after a first-round 67 (-5).
- Rory McIlroy (-3) and Scottie Scheffler (-3) are within two shots of the lead.
- Patrick Reed became the second player in Masters history to card two eagles on his opening nine holes.
- Bryson DeChambeau struggled early, making a triple bogey on the 11th hole.
McIlroy Begins Green Jacket Defense with Strong Start
Rory McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam with his victory here last year, opened his title defense with a 3-under 69. After a slow start, McIlroy birdied the eighth and ninth holes to move onto the leaderboard’s first page. He sits just two strokes behind leader Sam Burns as he seeks to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as the only players to win consecutive Masters.
Scheffler Makes Fast Start Following Birth of Second Child
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, playing just 12 days after his wife Meredith gave birth to their second child, opened his round with an eagle on the par-5 second hole. He added a birdie at the third to quickly reach 3-under par. Scheffler, the pre-tournament betting favorite, is tied with McIlroy and six others near the top of a crowded leaderboard.
Historic Start for Reed, Early Struggles for DeChambeau
Patrick Reed made Masters history early Thursday, becoming just the second player ever to eagle two holes on his opening nine. He birdied the first and eagled the second and eighth holes to reach 5-under before a bogey at the 10th. Conversely, Bryson DeChambeau’s round unraveled at the 11th hole where he made a triple-bogey after three failed attempts to escape a greenside bunker.
Conclusion:
The opening round of the 2026 Masters set the stage for a dramatic weekend, with a packed leaderboard featuring past champions, current stars, and a surprise leader in Sam Burns. All eyes will remain on McIlroy’s pursuit of a historic repeat and Scheffler’s bid to add a second green jacket, while the unpredictable nature of Augusta National was on full display with both spectacular highs and punishing lows.
