On Thursday of Augusta they used to be happy for the Spaniards, accustomed to occupying front positions that then did not materialize. But the 2025 edition arrived, exciting for how the course had started, and the first movement was poor. None of the four got off the pair. Sergio García signed Tables (72) with Augusta National; Jon Rahm threw 75, as in 2018 when he finished fourth, one less than Josele Ballester and two that José María Olazábal. To an eon of the leader, the English Justin Rose with his 65.
In the centenary of his meetings with the greats, Sergio paid tribute to Spain. With red and yellow, he started excitedly with a Birdie in Hole 1. In 80 rounds in this field he had only made 7 in a section that has a twisted Green like a wrinkled paper. Earned for what he has done in the LIV, with a victory in Hong Kong included, that promised. “But the Greens were slower than Wednesday and what could have been a very good start, it was only good,” he said to explain that he lost two great opportunities in the next two.
The holes were passing. His game was good to the final area and there the options were diluted. “I have forgiven a lot. But I am proud of how I have played. Then in the Green it has cost me to take the sensations and kick with conviction. I have played to have done quietly 67 or 68 and, in the end, 72,” he lamented.
Jon Rahm (30) leaves the bunker in hole 18
Jon Rahm ended more. “Nothing good,” he said laconic to summarize a day in which everything that could go wrong. From the first blow he sent her to the bunker on the street of Hoyo 1, he had the masters uphill. Barrika’s golfer is in a swing adjustment process for a year and a half. “It is a compensation issue, difficult to explain,” he replies when he is investigated.
The fact is that from time to time the Cadencious movement that has earned a superb palm male with 30 years and continues to give results – the LIV general was last year in that little metamorphosis – failures is a dart to his confidence. He visited the sand four times and in the 10 Green he took with Birdie’s opportunity he made 20 putts. Two per hole. Many of them downhill, which are a torment. Rozas the ball with the stick and the slopes are Tourmalet type. Difficult to get august in Augusta. “I’ve been out of position almost the entire return,” he added.
He sealed the return with a magic blow to save the pair in 18 after having gone to the bunker playing with the Peralte del Green. He served, at least, to remember that the first day had some good moment. Value blows. That will need on Friday so that the tournament is not definitively escaped. “I have confidence. It is a very difficult field and it will get even more. If I get a good start and a round in the 60s tomorrow, the weekend could be a new story,” he warned.