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5 things we learned on Thursday at the Masters
For a very long time on Masters 2K19: Day 1, 69 appeared to be the top score for the opening 18. This made Tiger Woods fans ecstatic, as the growler sat but one shot back, having signed for an opening 70. The afternoon wave of golfers caught fire late. Two of the game’s top young talents shared the lead at 6-under par. As Masters veterans know, not much is decided on Thursday, beyond the recipients of crystal for daily low score, eagles, and the like. Still, the message sent by Dechambeau and might be one of concern for those more than 4 back.
5. The best thing for Tiger is …
Phil. Nothing drives the furry one like his number-one rival. Despite having bested the lefthander on most occasions over the years, Tiger has no plans to let up. The longer Phil hangs around, the more likely Tiger is to lock in and go low. Cheer for the 40-somethings and you just might see major #15 and Masters #5 from the golfer formerly known as Eldrick. Speaking of Mickelson …
Watch @TigerWoods' first round 70 in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/c3QDJKr4qM
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
4. Lefty turns back the clock with 67
Did you catch his back nine? Bogey-Bogey beginning, then 2 pars and 5 birdies the rest of the way, Nearly caressed an ace out of the 16th hole, The usual Phil from the 90s or the 00s, but not one we’ve seen of late, especially at majors. What did he do well? He drove decently (nearly 60% of fairways) and hit 2/3 of his greens in regulation. The port-sider also kept away from trouble, finding only one bunker and saving par from it. Despite the topsy-turvy, inward half, Mickelson played a safe round of golf, and reaped the rewards. Does he have at least 2 more of those in him? Here’s hoping!
He knows these greens.@PhilMickelson gets into to red numbers with a birdie on No. 12. pic.twitter.com/akTmeJTmjX
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
3. This is one attractive leader board!
Other than Mickelson, the only other, former champion in the current top ten is Adam Scott. The aussie amassed 5 birdies against 2 bogeys for 69. Don’t fret, because Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, the aforementioned Dechambeau and Koepka, WGC Match Play champion Kevin Kisner, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are at or within 3 strokes of the lead. Given that the last 4 winners of the tournament (Spieth, Willett, Garcia, Reed) were first-time tournament champions, it looks like history is setting up for another, 1st-time win at the Masters.
Watch @AdamScott's 3-under-par first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/uMaoU3YETT
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
2. How Koepka reached the lead
He should have had it for himself. The 2-time, defending US Open champion was 8 feet from birdie and 65, but could not coax the wee tap home at the final green. Maybe that’s asking too much. The husky one turned in a clean, first score card, notching 6 birdies (4 straight on the back nine) to complement 12 pars. Never looked like he might make bogey. IF this guy can haul in a Masters jacket, Pebble Beach looms as history-making for two reasons. Only Willie Anderson won three consecutive Opens, and it has been quite some time since anyone began the year with two major titles on the men’s circuit. Whoa, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Have a look at this touchy birdie putt from just off #12 green.
.@BKoepka joins five other golfers at 3 under par with a birdie on No. 12. pic.twitter.com/nOOGbxXyXU
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
1. How DeChambeau reached the lead
He should have had it for himself! (See the second video below) No doubt some wag will attempt to equate leaving the flagstick in while putting, with this pinball-esque carom. Apples to oranges, friend, apples to oranges. DeChambeau’s round was at times similar; at others, different from Koepka’s. The physicist had 3 bogeys, but birdied half his holes to also reach 66. Like Koepka, he birdied 4 consecutive holes on the inward half. DeChambeau is capable of extended greatness, as well as the occasional meltdown. Last we checked, Vegas is accepting odds on both possibilities. That’s Augusta, that’s the Masters. It wins you, not the other way around.
Golf is a game of inches… Exhibit C.#TheMasters @b_dechambeau pic.twitter.com/AbsgudKILQ
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 11, 2019
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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gezza
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:20 am
Its been quite some time since anyone began the year with two major titles on the men’s circuit???? I don’t think spieth in 2015 is that long ago
Ronald Montesano
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:31 pm
That’s metric years, remember …
Actually, you’re so correct. Old age gets in the way of good writing.