DAY 1 AT AUGUSTA
Keep that card
Charley Hoffman: The winds were supposed to get stronger as Thursday afternoon went on. They did, and so did Hoffman's putter. The 40-year-old Californian played his final 13 holes in 8-under par to shoot 65 and lead by four. It's the first time in 19 career majors Hoffman has led after any round.
Toss that card
Tyrrell Hatton: After surging to 15th in the World Golf Rankings to earn a spot in his first Masters, the Englishman was a trendy sleeper pick by experts and bettors alike. But he responded with a bogey-filled 80 — dead last among professionals in the field.
On the course with ...
Phil Mickelson: Thursday was an adventure for Lefty. Mickelson, who at age 46 is seeking his fourth green jacket, gave the patrons an early jolt. He landed his second shot on the par-5 second hole about 40 feet right of the flag and made the eagle putt. Mickelson followed that up with a birdie on the par-3 fourth but gave two shots back with consecutive bogeys on the ensuing holes. Two more bogeys followed to open the back nine, but he saved his card with birdie rolls on Nos. 13 and 16 to finish off a 1-under 71. It's his 50th career round under par at Augusta National. "I might miss big, but I'll miss it in the right spot," he said.
Masters moment
A University of Illinois alum, Thomas Pieters is no stranger to golfing in adverse weather. But there's little that can prepare you for the pressure of a first Masters. The 25-year-old Belgian came to Amen Corner for the first time in competition at 5 under and leading by three. That quickly changed when he made bogey on No. 11 then misjudged the swirling wind and found water off the tee at the par-3 12th. The lead was gone but not his candor. "If you catch the wrong gust at the wrong time, then you look stupid," he said. Pieters also three-putted from 12 feet on No. 18 to finish off an even-par 72.
Chip shots
• 2015 champion Jordan Spieth took a 9 on the par-5 15th — his second quadruple-bogey over his past 21 holes at the Masters — but otherwise played his round 1 under.
• At one point early Thursday afternoon there was a 15-way tie for the lead at 1 under. By the end of the day, only 11 players broke par.
Key hole
Par-5, 530-yard No. 15: Traditionally one of the easiest holes on the course, the reachable par-5 is where Gene Sarazen hit his "shot heard 'round the world" for double eagle in 1935. But Thursday, seven players made double bogey or worse.
Quote of the day
"I don't how to spell 'oscillating,' but guys say that. It was definitely moving a little bit."
— Russell Henley, on Thursday's breezy conditions at Augusta.
Tweet of the day
"Must be leg day, cuz Jordan Spieth's quads are killing him. #badumbum"
— Mike Leslie, ABC sports anchor in Spieth's hometown of Dallas (@MikeLeslieWFAA).
Day 2
More wind and continued below-average temperatures are in the forecast for Friday. After a Round 1 that had players praising anything under a 75, we could be headed for a "survive and advance" kind of afternoon. ESPN picks up coverage at 2 p.m.
BRIAN STENSAAS
