Fast Starts for Im and Smith, But Tiger Takes Centre Stage

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Korean Im Sung-jae seized his first lead in a Major championship following an opening five-under 67 at the Masters Tournament but it was Tiger Woods who hogged the limelight with a triumphant return to competition, some 14 months after a horrific car accident.

Australian Cameron Smith, one of nine players in the starting line-up to have competed in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), is in second place after a 68 that was bookended by double-bogeys at the first and 18th holes.

Hideki Matsuyama began his Masters defence with an even-par 72 to share 19th spot, alongside fellow-Japanese and reigning AAC winner Keita Nakajima. Number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Nakajima is in prime position for the Low Amateur award this week, two shots ahead of American Austin Greaser, his closest challenger.

Japan's Takumi Kanaya, the third ex-AAC winner in the field, posted a 75 and is tied for 60th, while Koreans KH Lee and Kim Si-woo fired rounds of 74 and 76 respectively. Meanwhile, Smith’s compatriots Min Woo Lee (73), Lucas Herbert (74) and Cam Davis (75) will all have their eyes on making the cut following Friday’s second round.

Away from the glare of Augusta National’s patrons who were mesmerised by Woods’ latest comeback from a serious leg injury, 24-year-old Im fired an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys to lead by one from Presidents Cup International teammate Smith.

Former Masters champions Danny Willett and Dustin Johnson, newly-minted world number one Scottie Scheffler and Chilean rising star Joaquin Niemann all shot 69s as the 86th edition of the Masters got off to a tantalising start after a brief weather delay.

Im, a two-time PGA Tour winner, and in-form Smith, who won The Players Championship last month, were joint runners-up to Johnson at the 2020 Masters Tournament and both are chasing their first Major title.

“Still have three more days to play, and I think with the rain passing, the greens are going to get firmer, the fairways are going to get firmer, so I just have to be prepared to do the same thing I did today,” said Im, who hit 12 fairways and 13 greens in regulation. “I drove it well most of the holes and it gave me opportunities to have better second shots.”

The Korean leader arrived at the year’s opening Major as the eighth ranked player on the FedEx Cup standings following one victory and three top-10s but since February his form has taken a bit of a dip with a best finish of tied 20th. Im said he received a dose of positive vibes during the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday when his father, Ji-taek, who was caddying in the traditional curtain-raiser, stuck a sweet tee shot next to the pin on the final hole.

“I received some good vibes from my dad. It was the most beautiful shot I’ve seen. It was like a professional shot,” said Im.

In recent years, the man nicknamed Ironman Im has established himself as one of the stars on Tour with his all-round precision game and feels Augusta National is suited to his aggressive style of play as he seeks to become the second successive Asian winner at the Masters, following Matsuyama’s historic triumph 12 months ago.

“It was great to have a great finish at my Masters debut in 2020, and because of that experience I feel comfortable when I come to Augusta. I feel like I can play well here every time. It requires good shots overall from tee to green and to put shot into spots where I have a chance to attack the green is important, so I think it fits my game,” he said.

“It’s a great memory that I’ll carry with me … a feat that I really am proud of. But we’re only one day in. I’ve got three more days to play. I just want to keep this momentum going. I have my utmost respect for him (Hideki). I've watched him play since I was a kid.”

Woods, a 15-time Major champion and holder of a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour victories, was the story of the day. A single-vehicle accident in Las Angeles in February, 2021 nearly cost the 46-year-old his right leg, if not his life, and with a rod inserted into his right tibia, which suffered multiple fractures, and screws and pins stuck into his right foot and ankle in reconstructive surgery, many thought it would mark the end of his illustrious career.

An efficient one-under 71 in his first official round in 508 days put Woods in a share of 10th place and four shots of the early pace, and raising optimism of more Tiger roars in the coming days. “I’m right where I need to be,” said Woods, who made three birdies against two bogeys.

The American legend knows the recovery process over the next 24 hours will be equally important if he is to sustain a legitimate challenge and emulate Jack Nicklaus’ victory here in 1986 when the Golden Bear won the Masters at age 46 as well.

“I am as sore as I expected to feel,” said Woods. “Like I was telling the team all week, come game time, it will be a different deal. I figure once the adrenalin kicks in and we get fired up and I get into my little world, I should be able to handle business. This is only one round. We’ve got three more to go. There’s a long way to go and a lot of shots to be played.”