The Masters

Stunning opening round from Justin Rose.
A seven under par 65.
Wow.

Two over par through 7 holes & then an eagle to get back to level, which was the start of a run of 10 holes at 9 under. Most players struggled with the slick greens & swirling wind as Rose was streets ahead, & with no current form (70-1). A four shot lead is nice but he has to back it up.
Tommy Fleetwood had a hole in one on the 16th, his second ace in a matter of weeks.

Rose still in the lead, just

Fingers crossed for Justin Rose I have a sneaky bet with him

Defending Champion & World number 1 Dustin Johnson missed the cut, as did Mcllroy which wasn't a surprise, along with Brooks Koepka, who did well to play at all just weeks after a knee op. Others who failed to make it to the weekend include, Westwood, Garcia, & Cantlay.

For me Justin Thomas has the game to win here, but Rose makes the perfect start to the 3rd round, as he birdies the first 2 holes.

Matsuyama attacked the pins on the back nine after a rain delay & was rewarded with a 7 under 67, the first bogey-free round of the week, & a four shot lead over Rose who battled for a par round. Tied with Rose are Zalatoris, Schauffele & Leishman. Thomas is 10 shots back after a disappointing 75.
A notable mention for Robert MacIntyre, tied for 10th & playing at Augusta for the first time after qualifying with an impressive performance at the recent WGC event.

Would love Matsuyama to finish the job, but they can be the longest 18 holes in the game.

4 shots is nothing at the Masters. Matsuyama with the chance of becoming Japan's first man to win a major & Rose who lost in a playoff to Garcia with a chance to add to his one major.

Think Spieth is about the furthest back to have any hope.