The morning fog is lifting at Augusta National Golf Club, here on the first Thursday in April, and that can mean only one thing – it’s time for The Masters.
Stick with us all day as we have complete live Masters coverage throughout, including photos, the live leaderboard, news, notes and more.
Refresh this page throughout the day for live blog coverage of the 2023 Masters. The live leaderboard is available here, or under the live blog coverage below.
Check out our additional coverage leading up to today as well:
- How to Watch All of the 2023 Masters on TV and Streaming
- 15 of the Cutest Photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest
- Your Complete Guide to all 18 Holes at Augusta National
5:45 p.m. - Much Ado About Nothing on 13
Matt Fitzpatrick of England caddie Billy Foster walks up the 13th fairway during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The 13th hole was changed this year, to add some additional length, because many thought it had become far too easy a hole. It averaged out as the easiest hole on the course with a score of 4.77, as a par 5.
But… the changes don’t appear to have done much yet. Today so far, it’s averaging a 4.72 and is the fourth easiest hole.
4:30 p.m. - Here's Looking at You Kid
Amateur Sam Bennett reacts to his birdie on the first green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Amateur Sam Bennett is no stranger to success. The Texas A&M golfer is coming off winning the 2022 U.S. Amateur, and has been a standout in college.
But what Bennett has done on his front 9 at Augusta National today is literally unprecedented.
The 22-year-old put a 32 on his card for the front 9, the lowest from an amateur in tournament history. He’s got two birdies and an eagle on his card so far.
But there are a lot of holes to play, with a lot of opportunities to give shots right back.
A 32 ties the record for lowest first nine from an amateur in Masters history. #themasters pic.twitter.com/s9L0EVDQXE
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 20234:15 p.m. - Rory On the Mic
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the first green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
An interesting few moments on the television broadcast just now, as for the first time ever, the broadcast team talked with a golfer live on the Masters course.
Rory McIlroy spent time with the team talking through how his round has gone, as he walked up the fairway on the 9th hole.
He then walked them through his thinking on his pitch the green, before dropping his audio to take the shot. He left the shot a few yards short of the target, which he said he was disappointed with, but it was better than hitting it long. In typical Rory fashion though, as one of the most affable golfers alive, he said he was honored to be the first one to do the on-course interview.
While the novelty of talking to active players during sporting events isn’t new, when it comes to The Masters and the level of focus the golfers put on the course, it was interesting to hear from one live.
He ended up parring the hole to end his front 9 at 1-over.
Rory breaking down what kind of shot he's going to hit on a hole LIVE ON THE BROADCAST DURING THE MASTERS WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND CAN I HAVE IT FROM EVERY PLAYER IN THE FIELD
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) April 6, 20233:45 p.m. - Jon Rahm Breaking Records
Jon Rahm of Spain reacts to a putt during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
We have a tie atop the leaderboard now, as Jon Rahm has finished his round with a 7-under 65.
The score would be expected from one of the top golfers in the world, but what makes it more impressive is he gave back two strokes with a double bogey on the first hole. He was 9-under after that.
Astonishingly, it’s the lowest ever score for a player who started the Masters with a double-bogey on 1.
Rahm and Hovland are now two shots clear of Cameron Young, who finished with a 5-under 67, and stands in third alone right now.
Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm are tied for the lead after recording first-round 65s.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 6, 2023
Hovland: lowest score in his major championship career (previous: 66)
Rahm: lowest 18-hole score in Masters history among players with a double bogey or worse on first hole#themasters3:20 - Hovland Closes On Top
Viktor Hovland of Norway reacts to his birdie on the 13th green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
There is now a score to beat in the clubhouse, as Viktor Hovland has finished his brilliant first round with a 7-under par 65.
Hovland’s round featured five birdies and an eagle, and no blemishes on his card. He even salvaged par on the 18th, after getting stuck in a difficult position in the green-side bunker.
Hovland’s playing partner, Tiger Woods, finished his round with a bogey and a 2-over, 74. The other member of their group, Xander Schauffele had a workmanlike round of 4-under, 68, and is still in the hunt for sure. He just missed a birdie putt on 18 that would have put him two back.
Jon Rahm still sits at 6-under, just missing a long birdie on the 17th hole.
A flawless first round from Viktor Hovland. #themasters pic.twitter.com/rG2IYkhmCj
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 20232:30 p.m. - Big Names On Top
Scottie Scheffler of the United States talks with his caddie Ted Scott on the first hole during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
There’s a lot more of the same going on at Augusta National right now, but with some bigger names stepping into the party.
- Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had an eagle on 2, and he’s 2-under right now.
- Viktor Hovland is still floating at 7-under, through 14.
- Xander Schauffele is 4-under through 14.
- Jon Rahm is strongly back in contention, as he’s gone 6-under after his double-bogey on the first. He’s 4-under overall.
- Brooks Koepka is quietly right there too, 4-under after completing his front nine.
Scottie Scheffler begins his title defense with an eagle on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/vf6UNHXWVm
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 20231:50 p.m. - Couples Finishes Under Par
Fred Couples of the United States looks over a putt on the first green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Fred Couples is about as big a name in golf as you can get, and at 63 years old, he’s just carded a 1-under 71 in the first round of the Masters.
Couples won the tournament in 1992, and is playing for the 38th time in the event. He’s made the cut in 30 of those. But this 71 was his best first-round score since a 71 in 2014, and a 68 in 2013. His last made cut was in 2018.
Couples had four birdies on his round, on 12-13-15-17, but gave back one on 5-9-18. A brutal 3-putt on 18 robbed him of an even better score.
An under-par start for the 1992 Masters champion. #themasters pic.twitter.com/UCPGVYmQsG
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 202312:10 p.m. - Morning Recap
We’ve completed our first 4 hours of play on Day 1 of the 2023 Masters, and Mike Weir is our first golfer in the clubhouse.
Weir finished his opening round with an even-par 72, with birdies on 8, 12 and 15, and bogeys on 10, 11 and 16. Weir finished his round alone, after Kevin Na withdrew from the tournament due to illness.
Tiger Woods of the United States walks to the fourth green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland and Cameron Young are the on-course leaders, sitting at 3-under as we head to the afternoon.
Tiger Woods is on the struggle bus, sitting at 3-over through seven, with a much-needed low-scoring par 5 ahead of him.
Check out all of our favorite photos from the morning rounds, in our first gallery of the day.
11:18 a.m. - Rocky Start For Rahm, Tiger
Jon Rahm of Spain looks over a putt on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Your humble writer here picked Jon Rahm to win The Masters this year. Which of course means he has no shot. And just to make sure and break our hearts early on, the jinx continues, as Rahm had a double-bogey on his first hole, after a four-putt. Sorry Jon.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods had some struggles on the third hole, and now sits 1-over through four holes.
On the better side of the world, Viktor Hovland is tied for your tournament lead after an eagle on the second hole. He also leads in fashion today. Look at that shirt!
Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Hovland is joined at the top currently by Xander Schauffele, who birdied 2 and 4; Adam Scott, who birdied 2 and 3; and Cameron Young, who birdied both of his first two holes.
It’s getting fun out here!
10:45 a.m. - Kevin Na Withdraws
Kevin Na of the United States reacts on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kevin Na was having a rough day, at 4-over 40 in his front nine. He just announced he’s withdrawing from the tournament.
Mike Weir is now playing by himself for the rest of the day, which will likely change his tee time for Friday to put him in another group.
Due to illness, @kevinna915 has officially withdrawn from @TheMasters Tournament after completing nine holes of his first round. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 202310:18 a.m. - It's Tiger Time
Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the first green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
There’s not much more captivating a figure at Augusta National than Tiger Woods.
Even if he doesn’t have quite the same abilities as the days of yore, Tiger draws a crowd like none other.
His impressive outing last year, where he made the cut in his 22nd consecutive Masters, left everyone in awe.
Does the five-time champion have another magical tournament left in him? We find out now, as he’s stepping up to the first tee. His first shot is a dart down the center of the fairway.
Welcome to Tiger Time.
9:45 a.m. - Couples With a Bright Start
Fred Couples of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
There aren’t many golfers who use anything but the standard white golf ball, but the one standout who goes against the grain is Fred Couples.
Couples won the Masters in 1976, and is playing in his 38th Masters this year. He’s started with four straight pars, but what stood out the most was the bright yellow ball he’s using. It’s working apparently. He’s just one shot back of the pack of nine leaders at 1-under so far.
He’s been doing it for a few years, but it always stands out at Augusta National.
8:25 a.m. - And an Amateur Shall Lead Them All
Amateur Matthew McClean of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the second hole during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
For Matthew McLean, winning the Masters would obviously be a bit of a pipe dream, since he’s an amateur player.
But don’t let that (a) fool you, he’s starting strong at The Masters, and he has our first birdie of the day! McLean took his second shot from the fairway, and knocked it to within 4 feet of the hole, leaving him a comfortable putt for birdie.
The amateur is now technically leading the Masters. Sure, there’s only five guys with scores right now, but have YOU ever led The Masters? Didn’t think so.
McLean’s playing partners Scott Stallings and Vijay Singh parred and bogeyed the first hole, respectively.
Meanwhile, Kevin Na did get back one of his shots lost on 1 with a birdie on 2. He’s now +1 on the day.
7:45 a.m. - Honorary Starters and Legends
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: The names of Gary Player of South Africa, Jack Nicklaus of the United States and Tom Watson of the United States are displayed during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Three legends of the game got the 2023 Masters Tournament started, as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson served as the honorary starters Thursday morning.
Player got the festivities started with his typical outgoing humor and grace, hitting a nice shot – especially for an 87-year-old legend of the game.
The 83-year-old Nicklaus followed him with jokes about putting the ball on the tee being the hardest part of all of it, before he also hit one straight.
And lastly, the 73-year-old (but looking far younger) Tom Watson capped things off with a drive he watched for a long time, almost as though he was concerned about how this would impact his scoring on the day.
Combined, this trio has 11 Masters Championships and over 110 years on the course.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Gary Player of South Africa plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
7 a.m. - Augusta National Awakens
Patrons walk onto the course prior to the the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
Good morning from our live coverage center, as we begin our look at a Tradition Unlike Any Other – The Masters.
Day 1 of the 2023 edition should be interesting, as it’ll be the closest we might get to a “good weather day.”
“At daybreak, everyone is even,” the video below says. And he’s right. Right now, everyone has the same shot at a win.
It’s Thursday, at The Masters.
On Thursday morning, everyone starts on equal footing. From this moment on, the story of the Masters unfolds. #themasters pic.twitter.com/puN3TKGbZa
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023
