The pandemic forced a shift to last November that produced record low scoring by defending champion Dustin Johnson (20-under 268) and the field (average score 71.75). With a return to a spring date, tournament officials promised a return to the firmer, faster conditions.
Zalatoris actually dipped as low as 3 under after an eagle at No. 15, but gave back a shot on the next hole. A trio of internationals - Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa and Englishman Paul Casey - were still on the course at 3 under and leading the tournament.
11:45 a.m.
The early leaderboard at the Masters has a very international feel.
Philip Reid: Wide open Masters as many eye Major prize at Augusta Move back to traditional springtime slot ensures the famous course will play firm and fast
about 8 hours ago
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Bryson DeChambeau hits out of the sand on the 12th green during a practice round at the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA. Photograph: Erik Lesser/EPA
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Perhaps, with this 85th edition of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club even allowing for the limited return of patrons, having been played behind-closed doors last November; while the move back to a springtime setting has ensured that the azaleas et al are blooming and, perhaps most pertinently of all, that the course will likely play firm and fast.
Former champion Sandy Lyle struggled after a bright start to the 85th Masters (Richard Sellers/PA)
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Sandy Lyle’s record 37th consecutive appearance at Augusta National quickly turned into a nightmare as the 85th Masters got under way.
Lyle, who became the first British player to claim a green jacket in 1988, made an excellent start with a birdie on the second, but bogeyed the next and then took seven on the fourth after thinning a bunker shot over the green.
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The Latest: Rose surges to Masters lead with amazing run
5:50 p.m.
Justin Rose has surged to the top of the Masters leaderboard with an amazing run that began just before the turn.
The 40-year-old Englishman pushed his score to 6-under in the opening round a surge that began with an eagle at the par-5 eighth.
He added birdies at the ninth, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes, meaning he played a stretch of nine holes at 8 under.
With two holes remaining, Rose was three shots clear of the field on a day when most players were having trouble breaking par.
The Latest: An international flavor in early play at Masters wfmj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wfmj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.