Jason Day storms into Masters contention as McIlroy shares early lead

Augusta, Georgia: Jason Day believes patience will be key for his hopes of another run at weekend Masters contention which he jumpstarted by responding to a fast and firm Augusta National with a sensational 11-hole stretch.

A runner-up at the April major in 2011, Day inched a step closer to his dream of a green jacket with a first-round 69 at Augusta National that left the Queenslander just two shots off the first-round lead.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns topped the famous Masters leaderboards at five under following a 67 each. Day was joined at three under by American Kurt Kitayama and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed.

Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters champion, was two under (70) and tied with fellow major winners Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose.

The 2015 PGA Championship winner, Day salvaged a nervy start including a bogey on the short par-4 third hole.

At the par-5 eighth, he reached the green on his second shot and two-putted for birdie from 22.8 metres. Day then played Amen Corner in perfect fashion, with a gorgeous tee shot setting up a birdie on the iconic par-3 12th before a sublime wedge allowed for a tap-in birdie at the par-5 13th.

The 13-time PGA Tour winner bagged another birdie with a stunning iron shot on the 16th.

“I got off to a bit of a shaky start, [but] I feel good about my game,” Day said.

The 2013 Augusta champion Adam Scott mixed five bogeys, a stunning eagle at the par-5 13th and three birdies in a colourful 72. The Queenslander was one under until he dropped a shot at the 18th. But in his 25th Masters, Scott refused to rule himself out and vowed to use round two to springboard into the weekend mix.

“That’s what majors are all about; I wish I would have finished under par today,” an upbeat Scott said.

“I don’t know why that one shot better feels like such a better accomplishment, but it does, the red [under par] number. But I’m right there. I didn’t shoot myself out of it.”

Another Queenslander, former British Open champion Cameron Smith, struggled to a bogey-bogey finish on the closing two par 4s for a two-over 74.

“Yeah, a couple quick fives just like that,” former world No.2 Smith said of the last two holes. “This place can do it to you.”

The highlight of Smith’s round was when, at one-over, he chipped in for birdie at the 16th to return to even par. He felt he had given himself work to do but remained hopeful of clawing back from seven shots adrift of the clubhouse lead.

“I kind of scratched it around today,” Smith said. “Yeah, I’m definitely not out of the tournament. I did a good job hanging in there.”

World No.25 Min Woo Lee, Australia’s top-ranked golfer at the Masters, capitulated with a six-over 78.

“I didn’t hit it close at all and didn’t take advantage of the par 5s; it’s a pretty hard recipe to play good without those things,” Lee said.

With plenty of sun forecast for the remaining rounds, Day promised to wait for opportunities given Augusta’s pristine turf will only become firmer and faster.

“It just depends on what [officials] want; if they want [single] digits [under par total] to win it’ll be baked out and fast and guys will be kind of spewing on themselves out there,” said Day, in his 15th Masters appearance.

“It’ll be really difficult. When I see five under leading, and with what weather we got coming up, I’ve just got to be very patient.

“I’ve just got to take my birdies when I can and not try and force anything. [I am] off to a great start.”

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