89th Masters Tournament | Thursday updates

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It’s April and and a Rose is blooming in Augusta.

Justin Rose of England, the 2013 U.S. Open and 2016 Olympic gold medalist, is the clubhouse leader late in the first round of the 89th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club after an opening 65.

Justin Rose of England plays a stroke from the No. 11 tee during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Rose’s (-7) round included eight birdies and only one bogey, at No. 18. He has now held or shared the 18-hole lead at the Masters a record five times.

“Obviously delighted to get off to such a great start, and that start definitely, it happened out of the gates,” Rose said. “It was a really good day’s golf on a golf course that was a stern test. I think if you look at the overall leaderboard, not many low scores out there. You had to hit a lot of quality shots, and delighted the way I played.”

Behind Rose on the leader board are 24 golfers within three shots of each other. Among them, two-time and defending Champion Scottie Scheffler and Corey Connors of Canada, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour who are both at -4.

“I felt pretty good,” Scheffler said after his round. “Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it’s a really good thing. Like you said, I struggled for what felt like two pars today. 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.”

“You always feel good coming off the course when you post a good number,” Conners said. “So, yeah, happy with the way I battled hard on some of the holes. I was a little bit out of position, just trying to get the ball up-and-down or two-putt. Yeah, definitely feels good to add up to a low round.”

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a stroke from the No. 12 tee during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Rory McIlroy, seeking to complete the career Grand Slam with a win at Augusta in his 17th Masters appearance was -3 through the first nine. McIlory has recorded seven top-ten finishes in the tournament and has already won twice this season, including the prestigious Players Championship in March.

“I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year,” McIlroy said before the tournament began. “Look, I understand the narrative and the noise, and there’s a lot of anticipation and buildup coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a stroke from the No. 3 tee during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Thursday began with another Masters tradition that dates back to 1941, when Honorary Starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit ceremonial tee shots. The trio won 11 combined Green Jackets during their Masters careers. After the ceremony, Fred S. Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, declared the tournament officially underway.

(EDITORS NOTE: This image has been digitally retouched.) Masters champion and Honorary Starter Gary Player of South Africa, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament Fred S. Ridley, Masters champion and Honorary Starter Jack Nicklaus and Masters champion and Honorary Starter Tom Watson of the United States on the No. 1 tee during the Honorary Starters Ceremony prior to the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

“When I walk up, make sure I don’t trip, said six-time Champion Nicklaus. “Second one is make sure I get the tee in the ground without falling over, and the third one is just don’t kill anybody. Don’t laugh too much about that; that’s actually the thoughts that I have.”

“I think the word that come that comes to my mind, I’m standing here for the 67th time, and I think the word is gratitude, just being here,” said Player, a three-time Champion. “It’s an honor to be at this — as the Scottish people say, the holy ground.”

Masters champion and Honorary Starter Jack Nicklaus plays a stroke from the No. 1 tee prior to the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Earlier Thursday morning, the White House released a statement from President Donald Trump regarding this year’s tournament and also congratulating competitors in last week’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

“I extend my best wishes to the competitors, caddies, staff, volunteers, and patrons for a safe and fun Masters,” President Trump said in the statement. “May the best golfer win, and may all have a memorable week filled with moments that will last a lifetime.”