The morning fog is lifting at Augusta National Golf Club, here on the first Thursday in April, and that can mean only one thing – it’s time for The Masters.
Stick with us all day as we have complete live Masters coverage throughout, including photos, the live leaderboard, news, notes and more.
Refresh this page throughout the day for live blog coverage of the 2023 Masters. The live leaderboard is available here, or under the live blog coverage below.
Check out our additional coverage leading up to today as well:
- How to Watch All of the 2023 Masters on TV and Streaming
- 15 of the Cutest Photos from the Masters Par 3 Contest
- Your Complete Guide to all 18 Holes at Augusta National
11:18 a.m. - Rocky Start For Rahm, Tiger
Jon Rahm of Spain looks over a putt on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Your humble writer here picked Jon Rahm to win The Masters this year. Which of course means he has no shot. And just to make sure and break our hearts early on, the jinx continues, as Rahm had a double-bogey on his first hole, after a four-putt. Sorry Jon.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods had some struggles on the third hole, and now sits 1-over through four holes.
On the better side of the world, Viktor Hovland is tied for your tournament lead after an eagle on the second hole. He also leads in fashion today. Look at that shirt!
Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Hovland is joined at the top currently by Xander Schauffele, who birdied 2 and 4; Adam Scott, who birdied 2 and 3; and Cameron Young, who birdied both of his first two holes.
It’s getting fun out here!
10:45 a.m. - Kevin Na Withdraws
Kevin Na of the United States reacts on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kevin Na was having a rough day, at 4-over 40 in his front nine. He just announced he’s withdrawing from the tournament.
Mike Weir is now playing by himself for the rest of the day, which will likely change his tee time for Friday to put him in another group.
Due to illness, @kevinna915 has officially withdrawn from @TheMasters Tournament after completing nine holes of his first round. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 202310:18 a.m. - It's Tiger Time
Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the first green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
There’s not much more captivating a figure at Augusta National than Tiger Woods.
Even if he doesn’t have quite the same abilities as the days of yore, Tiger draws a crowd like none other.
His impressive outing last year, where he made the cut in his 22nd consecutive Masters, left everyone in awe.
Does the five-time champion have another magical tournament left in him? We find out now, as he’s stepping up to the first tee. His first shot is a dart down the center of the fairway.
Welcome to Tiger Time.
9:45 a.m. - Couples With a Bright Start
Fred Couples of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
There aren’t many golfers who use anything but the standard white golf ball, but the one standout who goes against the grain is Fred Couples.
Couples won the Masters in 1976, and is playing in his 38th Masters this year. He’s started with four straight pars, but what stood out the most was the bright yellow ball he’s using. It’s working apparently. He’s just one shot back of the pack of nine leaders at 1-under so far.
He’s been doing it for a few years, but it always stands out at Augusta National.
8:25 a.m. - And an Amateur Shall Lead Them All
Amateur Matthew McClean of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the second hole during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
For Matthew McLean, winning the Masters would obviously be a bit of a pipe dream, since he’s an amateur player.
But don’t let that (a) fool you, he’s starting strong at The Masters, and he has our first birdie of the day! McLean took his second shot from the fairway, and knocked it to within 4 feet of the hole, leaving him a comfortable putt for birdie.
The amateur is now technically leading the Masters. Sure, there’s only five guys with scores right now, but have YOU ever led The Masters? Didn’t think so.
McLean’s playing partners Scott Stallings and Vijay Singh parred and bogeyed the first hole, respectively.
Meanwhile, Kevin Na did get back one of his shots lost on 1 with a birdie on 2. He’s now +1 on the day.
7:45 a.m. - Honorary Starters and Legends
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: The names of Gary Player of South Africa, Jack Nicklaus of the United States and Tom Watson of the United States are displayed during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Three legends of the game got the 2023 Masters Tournament started, as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson served as the honorary starters Thursday morning.
Player got the festivities started with his typical outgoing humor and grace, hitting a nice shot – especially for an 87-year-old legend of the game.
The 83-year-old Nicklaus followed him with jokes about putting the ball on the tee being the hardest part of all of it, before he also hit one straight.
And lastly, the 73-year-old (but looking far younger) Tom Watson capped things off with a drive he watched for a long time, almost as though he was concerned about how this would impact his scoring on the day.
Combined, this trio has 11 Masters Championships and over 110 years on the course.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: Gary Player of South Africa plays his shot during the first tee ceremony prior to the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
7 a.m. - Augusta National Awakens
Patrons walk onto the course prior to the the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
Good morning from our live coverage center, as we begin our look at a Tradition Unlike Any Other – The Masters.
Day 1 of the 2023 edition should be interesting, as it’ll be the closest we might get to a “good weather day.”
“At daybreak, everyone is even,” the video below says. And he’s right. Right now, everyone has the same shot at a win.
It’s Thursday, at The Masters.
On Thursday morning, everyone starts on equal footing. From this moment on, the story of the Masters unfolds. #themasters pic.twitter.com/puN3TKGbZa
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023
