The opening morning of the Masters Tournament brought with it a blend of tradition, generational tension, and unexpected flair.
The ceremonial tee shots at Augusta National were once again launched by honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson-three golfing icons who first united for this role in 2021. But after sending their drives down the fairway, the trio took their swings at something else entirely: LIV Golf.
Honorary starters take aim at LIV and Phil Mickelson’s form
Nicklaus, the six-time Masters champion, did not hold back when asked about three-time winner Phil Mickelson‘s recent performances.
“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at,” Nicklaus said. “I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. You never see him anymore.”
He wasn’t the only one to weigh in. Gary Player, always outspoken, made it clear where he stands regarding the ongoing divide in the sport.
“They made their choice to play on their own tour, and that’s where they are right now,” Player said. “I don’t see a real working mechanism for the two tours [PGA Tour and LIV] to get back together.”
Mickelson, now 54, opened his tournament with a 3-over 75 on Thursday, a respectable but distant start from the form that once brought him green jackets. While LIV stars remain eligible for the Masters, their appearances have sparked debate about visibility and legacy in golf’s evolving landscape.
Another veteran making headlines was Bernhard Langer, playing his 41st and final Masters at age 67. His 2-over 73 was solid given the conditions-and his age.
“Overall, it was a pretty good round for a 67-year-old to get around here at 2-over with the clubs I’m hitting into, sometimes 3-woods into par-4s and 2 hybrids and 3 hybrids,” Langer said. “If I want to make the cut, I’ve got to do much better tomorrow, or some better.”
While Langer made the most of his farewell tour, 21-year-old Nick Dunlap had a day he’ll likely want to forget. Dunlap carded an eye-popping 18-over-par 90, including a front-nine 43 and a back-nine 47. Although brutal, his score wasn’t the highest ever at Augusta-Charles Kunkle Jr.’s 95 in 1956 still holds that record. Even Billy Casper once posted a 105 in 2005, though he never signed the card.
Dunlap‘s recent form had hinted at trouble-he entered the tournament after missing three straight cuts and had already shot rounds of 80 this season. His Masters debut last year also ended early with rounds of 77 and 72.
Read the full article here
