Daniel Berger looks to defend his title in Memphis as he joins four other past champions in the field at TPC Southwind.
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A two-time major champion is determined to work smarter, not necessarily harder.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The first round is in the books at the Masters, with a big-name leaderboard topped by Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at 6-under 66. PGATOUR.COM’s writers tackle some of the big questions percolating after Thursday at Augusta National. Has this year’s Masters turned into brawn (Koepka) vs. brains (DeChambeau)? BEN EVERILL (Staff Writer): No. Not yet. In the previous 10 Masters, only Jordan Spieth in 2015 has taken the first-round lead and gone on to win. So while those two have certainly given themselves a huge leg up, there is plenty of golf left to play.  SEAN MARTIN (Senior Editor): No. If the Masters is golf’s Super Bowl, then we’re only through the first quarter. Twenty-eight players broke par Thursday. The course is softer than the green jackets would like, so low scores are easier to come by. The weather forecast – rain, and lots of it! – adds another variable. Bryson better have his spritzer guy on call. This one is still wide open. MIKE McALLISTER (Managing Editor): Wouldn’t call it a two-man race just yet, but it’s definitely an interesting contrast. East Coast vs. West Coast. Fast vs. Methodical. Three Majors vs. highest-ranked world player without a major. And just check out their headwear on Thursday – Brooks’ colorful cap vs. Bryson’s old-school Hogan driver. If this is what we get on Sunday afternoon, that’s fine with me. CAMERON MORFIT (Staff Writer): That’s a good description of both, although each obviously possesses plenty of both qualities. It’s too early, though, especially with weather on the way, to know they’ll be tugging on opposite sleeves of the green jacket. Tiger and Phil are off to solid starts. Which one will keep it going? EVERILL: Probably both but if we have to pick …Tiger. Yes, I am aware Phil has him by three on day one, but I sense a big number somewhere around the corner (on one hole not the round) and it could derail the elder statesman. Tiger will grind till the bitter end. MARTIN: I like Tiger’s chances. He shot a first-round 70 in three of his four Masters victories. Could it be an omen? Phil has struggled with mental fatigue, especially in big events. Tiger looked really good. He just needs to stop missing the short ones. McALLISTER: More impressed with Phil on Thursday – that 67 matches his lowest opening score in his Masters career — and he could become the oldest major winner ever. But Tiger likes to start making his case at Augusta National on Friday. I think we’ll see how serious each will challenge after 36 holes. MORFIT: I’m thinking Phil has something extra going on with that blue gum, and additionally he’s three ahead of Tiger after the first round. Mickelson looked more or less in control, for him, and should hang around near or in the lead through the weekend. Related: Koepka, DeChambeau share lead | Tiger cards 2-under 70 | Day receives back treatment | Notebook: Scott off to rare fast start | Nicklaus, Player get things started at the Masters | Tee times, Round 2 Tough day for a few high-ranking notables – Rose (75), Spieth (75), Casey (81). Who’s most likely to rally? EVERILL: With zero confidence, I’ll say Spieth. I’m hoping he figures Friday should just be a day to enjoy himself at a great venue. Relax. Just play. And put up a 68. MARTIN: It has to be Justin Rose’s 75. The FedExCup champion has been automatic at Augusta National. No one has hit more greens at Augusta National over the last four years. It’s the second-highest opening round at Augusta in his career. McALLISTER: We saw Casey at a dinner on Tuesday night and he seemed in great spirits (and he’s also very easy to root for). I’m shocked at that 81, and I suspect he’ll rebound properly. And Spieth is 9 strokes off the pace – same total he was on Sunday a year ago before his near-miraculous Hail Mary. MORFIT: Reigning FedExCup champion and world No. 1 Rose has played too well for too long, and is so good here (five top-10 finishes, including two seconds in 13 starts) not to make some sort of a comeback. Biggest surprise of the day? EVERILL: The 75 from FedExCup champion Justin Rose was a serious eye opener for a guy who has two runner-up finishes at Augusta National in recent years. But in my mind, there was a bigger shock out there. The 81 put up by Valspar Championship winner Paul Casey was just that — a shocker. MARTIN: Rose. For him, regression to the mean means a smooth 66. McALLISTER: You mean, other than 61-year-old Sandy Lyle (ranked 2,035th/tied for last in world rankings) shooting 71 while 38-year-old Justin Rose (ranked No. 1) shot 75? Biggest surprise might be the revelation that Bryson DeChambeau has never had an ace in his entire golf career, a point he repeatedly emphasized while discussing his near-ace at the 16th hole Thursday. MORFIT: Justin Rose shooting 75 was surprising but given how recently Paul Casey won at the Valspar Championship, plus his better-than-average Masters record, his opening 81 was the shocker of the day.
The question was perplexing to Brooks Koepka, perhaps because it was missing specific context or because it takes a lot to make him worry. Having played only four PGA Tour events, he was No. 213 in the FedEx Cup standings. The only time he didn’t make it to East Lake for the FedEx Cup finale was in 2015, when he missed a month with an ankle injury.
