The Masters leaderboard reads like a who’s who of golfers from England, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Chasing leader Jordan Spieth, who posted a 6-under 66 in Thursday’s first round at Augusta National are Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who shot 4 under, England’s Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, who shot 3-unders, Danny Willett, who shot 2 under, and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who shot 2 under.
That’s not all. England’s Lee Westwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick are five shots back at 1 under.
Cheers to the lads trying to follow in the footsteps of past champs from the isles: Englishman Nick Faldo (a three-time Masters champ), Welshman Ian Woosnam and Scotsman Sandy Lyle.
Casey was 10 years old when Lyle won the Masters in 1988. He said remember watching Lyle dance his jig on the 18th green after sinking his 10-foot birdie putt to edge Mark Calcavecchia by a stroke.
“As a young boy in England, it was always on very late at night, so being able to stay up late at night and watch the Masters was just something very, very special,” Casey said.
Playing in the same group as Spieth and amateur Bryson Dechambeau, Casey reached 4 under through 16, thanks to a remarkable bunker shot across the green on the par-5 15 that led to a birdie, followed by stuffing his tee shot to within inches off the flag on the par-3 16th. But he followed that a bogey on 16 when he hooked his tee shot into the trees on the left on the par-4 17th. He escaped another possible bogey when his tee shot on 18 flared to the right, but ricocheted off a tree and back into the fairway.
Rose, who tied for second at last year’s Masters, reached 4 under with a birdie on 15, but gave it back with a bogey on 16.
He said the round would have been worse if not for birdie putts of 20 feet on No. 1, 25 feet on No. 3 and 30 feet on No. 10.
“That kind of always smartens up a scorecard when you’re making some putts of length,” he said. “I think that’s probably what was the difference between a steady day and a good day.”
Poulter said he could see a 66, even if he couldn’t quite reach it because of two three-putts. Still, he was happy for his countrymen.
“It’s nice, obviously,” he said. “Great players, and players that play this golf course well. Justin, you know, is someone that’s played this course exceptionally well. He’s gotten off to fast starts as well around here.
“Paul has a good record on this course. So those familiar names that love Augusta National and are on the board right now.”
About the Author
