The Masters are back, as is Tiger Woods. Now, 25 years after his first victory at Augusta National, the 15-time big winner has made a stunning comeback to the most iconic golf tournament, just over a year after an almost fatal crash threatening to end his legendary career at sport. Woods’ last return dominated the preparations for the 86th Masters, with the 46-year-old announcing only on Tuesday that he was ready to play after months of extensive recovery. The five-time Masters winner said he would not be in Augusta if he did not believe he could win the tournament and a sixth green jacket would overshadow even his remarkable triumph in 2019 as the biggest comeback in the history of the sport. The American starts after an afternoon with rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, in what is expected to be an open field in the first big part of the year. Hideki Matsuyama is the defending champion and Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Smith are notable candidates favored by the bookies, while Rory McIlroy continues his quest to complete a career grand slam. Watch live updates from the Masters start-up game below:
Masters 2022: LIVE
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Tiger Woods defies logic to shoot down the Masters’ remarkable comeback
Shortly after 11 a.m. on a cloudy morning in Augusta, the Masters’ attention, once again, stopped for one man. As Tiger Woods appeared in his first T-shirt, the crowd, stacked behind the ropes and along the opening of the street, took the stage and for a moment the lines of sports drama, legend and fantasy blurred into one. Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:59 1649375498
The Masters Cards: McIlroy Opens 73
So now that McIlroy is finally in the middle of the road with a perfect ride, can he attack the green and save his lap? No. The shake of his head tells you where he ended up – just below the neck of the Greenside shelter. He makes a big play from the eight legs, however, to save the first round of 73. Brooks Koepka went from -2 to +3 over the back nine and his boy is the last shot of the day. Matthew Fitzpatrick, playing with two great champions, ends up with the best score on the ground and adds a final boom with a bird to go to -1! Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:51 1649375059
The Masters: Opening Rahm Cards 74
It was not Jon Rahm’s day and the Spaniard will need to score low tomorrow to have a chance ahead of the weekend. Zalatoris, who is on the same team, ends up fighting for his boy at 18 – something that was so difficult today. He drops to -1 but that continues his record with five consecutive laps in Augusta in the red. Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:44 1649373879
The Masters: Johnson cards open 68
Dustin Johnson landed high on the shore in the 18th, but created a superb hit on the hill to secure the final parity and an opening lap 69. He may have wanted to hit more after reaching the turn -4, but he did the birds when the overall score was hot and in constant contention after the start of the day. Colin Moricaua, who has barely appeared next to Johnson on television, closes a 73-year high of one above the par. Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:24 1649373673
The Masters: Bogey for McIlroy
McIlroy’s fights continue as he throws another shot at par-3 16th – his bird’s promise in the turn seems very old. Zalatoris, who was in contention here last year, made another good start and climbed up and down at 17 to save his par and stay at -2. Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:21 1649373175
The bosses
Another opportunity is to beg for McIlroy as a bird turns 15. This is three fives in a row for McIlroy, after that previous boob. Dustin Johnson, meanwhile, sees his streak end at 17. But not in the way he would like. A downhill stroke slips over the hole as it drops to -3. Jamie Braidwood8 April 2022 00:12 1649371956
The Masters: Bogey for McIlroy
So disappointing for McIlroy, who sees a par putt go through the hole at 14 to fall back to level. So close, too, to a moment that stood out for Sungjae Im, who hit a bunker at 18 that would see him extend his lead to two shots at -6. As it stands, it remains at -5. This is a brilliant opening round of 67 for the South Korean, who takes the lead of the club, while Dustin Johnson continues the series of his presence. Jamie Braidwood 7 April 2022 23:52 1649371092
The bosses
What a run Harold Varner III does. He has left eagle, bird, parity, parity, bird to go from +3 to -1 in the blink of an eye in the back nine. I’m safe on the road as it progresses to the 18th. Jamie Braidwood 7 April 2022 23:38 1649370984
The bosses
Dustin Johnson has reached the level of nine back so far and has not managed to convert any of the par-5 and approach shots on birds, but he is still in good position. Only 18 players have been relegated today – with Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth among those competing in subsequent groups. It just shows how impressive this opening round from Woods was. It also puts McIlroy’s score -1 in perspective. Jamie Braidwood 7 April 2022 23:36 1649370051
The bosses
Another hole for the leader of the course Im Sung-jae as he negotiates the 16th to make parity. Just the 17th and 18th will follow with these holes that characterize these scary opening paths through the trees. The 18th plays again as one of the toughest holes along the way with several leaders shooting there. Jamie Braidwood 7 April 2022 23:20
