Masters overnight: Scottie Scheffler makes case for seat at top table once more 

A second green jacket for the world No. 1 would resolve his seating issue in the Masters Club.

“I asked Zach if I could sit by him, because him and Jordan usually sit together, and I figure if I asked Jordan to sit by him he would mess with me somehow,” Scheffler said of his Tuesday night dilemma after hosting the dinner the year before. But Zach I felt I could rely on a bit more. So when we’re walking in, I was like, ‘Hey, Zach, could I sit next to you?’ Felt like I was in middle school or something like that. Made me sweat a little bit.” 

Scheffler doesn’t seem to sweat much on the golf course these days – except over the shorter putts. His strokes gained numbers are so far superior to his peers, he makes shooting 6-under look rather unremarkable.

On Thursday he birdied three par-3s and three par-5s and rarely put himself in much danger of dropping a stroke. Coming into the Masters off wins at Bay Hill and the Players and a runner-up by a stroke two weeks ago in Houston, he seems like the man to beat even sitting in second.

“I've had some good results in the last month or so, and I'm trying to use that in a positive way,” he said. “But … when you step up there on the first tee, I'm not thinking about last week and I'm not thinking about the week before that. I'm thinking about the shot I'm trying to hit, and that's pretty much it. It's definitely nice in the preparation knowing that my game is in a good spot. I was just kind of excited to get the week started, and so far I'm off to a good start.” 

So is DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open winner who the same year declared Augusta National a “par-67” for him considering his aggressive game. He’s only broken 70 three times in 24 previous career rounds at Augusta National while posting higher than actual par (72) 14 times.

“The comment was definitely misinterpreted,” DeChambeau said Thursday after finally beating his mark, firing a 7-under 65 to set the early bar at Augusta National with birdies on five of the last seven holes. “I said it, and I respect people's opinions on it.

“For me, I have a level of respect for this golf course that's a little bit different than a couple years ago, and clearly today was a great test of golf, and I was able to conquer a very difficult golf course today. Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I'm not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistake, and that was definitely one.” 

England’s Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters winner, posted a 4-under 68 in the third group of the day after birdieing three of the last four holes. Willett came into the week with low-to-no expectations after an abbreviated six-month recovery from shoulder surgery.

“I think in terms of expectation, no one really knew,” Willett said. “I didn't really know. I haven't been under the gun since Wentworth, under pressure, having to hit certain shots at certain times when there actually are consequences. It's nice to come and prove that if you've done the work and you do the right things that you can hit the shots still when you need to.” 

Creeping up on the two leaders before play in the weather-delayed first round was suspended by darkness is Danish debutante Nicolai Højgaard. The 23-year-old sits 5-under through 15 holes while his Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Åberg is 2-under through 11 in his major championship debut.

Max Homa climbed to 4-under with a birdie at 13 after play was suspended. In the same group, Tiger Woods walked off the course at 1-under par through 13 holes. Play will resume at 7:50 am local time in the morning, with the second round starting only 10 minutes later than originally schedule at 8 am.

LIV golfers Tyrrell Hatton (3-under through 14) and 2018 champion Patrick Reed (2-under through 14) are both lurking with a chance to climb further into the mix on Friday morning when the wind should be a little calmer.

Shane Lowry is through 16 holes at level par with two birdies and two bogeys on the day. He’s a shot behind Rory McIlroy, who posted a 1-under 71 – his first opening round under par at the Masters since at 69 in 2018.

Ryan Fox of New Zealand and Cam Davis of Australia each shot 69. Will Zalatoris, Joaquin Niemann, Corey Conners and Ben An each posted 2-under 70s.

Defending champion Jon Rahm finished bogey-bogey to shoot a 1-over 73.

“Unfortunately on that back nine I missed a few too many shots,” said Rahm. “Never really in a good position to give myself the best chance for birdies and ended up with what could have been a little bit better of a score. It's just too bad. Bad swings are bad swings, but I think 4 and 17 could have been avoided. Those two three-putts could have been avoided.”