Australia’s only Masters champion Adam Scott brought back a flood of good memories as he surged into early contention at Augusta National, 10 years after his green jacket triumph.
Not considered among the favourites for the year’s first men’s major, Scott posted a four-under 68 to be three shots shy of the lead midway through the first round on Friday morning (AEST).
The 42-year-old was clearly the best of the five Australians to qualify for the Masters, riding an eagle on the par-five 15th to put himself in the frame for a weekend charge.
Scott’s round was punctuated by a sumptuous approach into the hole named Firethorn, and followed with a near ace at the 16th. His only blemish came when he recorded a bogey on the last hole of the day.
“I don’t know for a fact, but it’s probably my best ever opening round,” Scott said. “So I have to be satisfied with that.
Adam Scott during his first round of The Masters.Credit: AP
“You want to put yourself in the right spot early. Any week you want to get off to a good start.
But we just don’t know what’s going to happen and how the weather might affect the rest of the week. So if you’re hanging around right from the start on a week like this, it’s probably helpful.”
Norway’s Viktor Hovland, playing in the same group as Tiger Woods, and Spain’s Jon Rahm share the clubhouse lead at seven under.
Australia’s world No.6 Cameron Smith posted a steady two-under 70, while world No.48 Min Woo Lee and amateur Harrison Crowe, playing in his first Masters, both posted three-over 75s and face a challenge to make the cut.
So does Woods, in what could be his last Masters appearance, after signing for a two-over 74.
But that will be of little concern for Scott, who soaked up the adulation of being a former champion.
“I think all the former champions feel it here,” Scott said.
“I think you even get good breaks from it. My ball bounced out of a bunker and onto the first green today. I think there’s some good vibes being a Masters champion and coming back here, and it’s appreciated and it’s certainly felt by those champions.”
