Lin Rues Early Rainfall as Matsuyama Makes Fast Start

Augusta, Georgia, United States: For China’s Lin Yuxin the early-morning suspension in the opening round of the 2020 Masters Tournament didn’t come early enough.

Two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner Lin teed-off at 7 am (Augusta time) in the first flight from the 10th tee at Augusta National. Steady rain was already falling when the 20-year-old left-hander struck his drive into the middle of the fairway.

With the weather rapidly worsening, Lin’s approach came up short left. From there he needed two chips and two putts for an inauspicious double-bogey six.

The sirens then sounded signalling an immediate halt to proceedings.

It was a harsh beginning for the sophomore at the University of Southern California, who then had several hours to stew on his misfortune before resuming his round on arguably the most difficult stretch of the fabled course, Amen Corner.

When he returned to the course, bogeys followed at 11 and the short 12th, leaving him at four-over through his opening three holes.

To his credit, the Beijing native battled back on the par-fives. He two-putted from 14 feet for a birdie-four at 13 and followed by holing a four-footer for an eagle-three at 15 after a brilliant iron approach from 220 yards. It was to be the highlight of his day.

Bogeys at 16 and 17 meant he turned in three-over 79. Four dropped shots on the front side – his back nine – saw him sign for a 79 and leave him with a mountain to climb if he’s to survive the half-way cut for the leading 50 players and ties.

Fellow two-time AAC winner Hideki Matsuyama had a rather more enjoyable day at the office.

Making his ninth appearance at Augusta, the 28-year-old Japanese fired a four-under-par 68 that put him in a share of fifth place – three strokes off the blistering pace being set by England’s Paul Casey.

Also off to an encouraging start were former AAC contestants Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan.

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Jazz was one-over through 12 holes but finished strongly, making birdies at 13, 15, 16 and 18 to post a three-under 69.

Pan, runner-up to China’s Guan Tianlang at the AAC in 2012, produced a solid display, his round including three birdies and a solitary bogey at the par-three 12th.

Because of the weather suspension, 44 players in the 92-man field will complete the first round on Friday. Play was halted because of darkness at 5:30 pm. The first round is scheduled to resume at 7:30 am on Friday with the second round to begin at 9:35 am.