The 15th hole, a year after it played to a record-high scoring average of 5.137 in the second round, was only slightly easier in Thursday’s opening round of this Masters, yielding a 5.121 clip.
Drive with Precision: Seventh hole holds field to just two birdies in opening round
The par-4 7th hole made it nearly impossible for players to finish their first nine unscathed at Augusta National Thursday. The 450-yard "Pampas" registered two birdies and witnessed nearly three dozen bogeys. In this "Mercedes-Benz Drive with Precision," the Live From crew breaks down why the field suffered so much to hit the fairway here.
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McIlroy (67): Desire to win the Masters still very much there
Just because he's won the Masters doesn't mean Rory McIlroy doesn't want — badly — to win it again. He talks after his opening-round 67 at Augusta National.
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Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, reiterated the importance of sensible golf equipment regulation in his 2026 Masters press conference.
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Chandler Blanchet shot an 8-under 64 Thursday and leads at Grand Reserve Golf Club after 18 holes. John Daly II made his Tour debut, finishing with a 2-unde 70 thanks to a spectacular chip-in for birdie on the 16th hole. The University of Arkansas senior spoke to media after the opening round in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
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