Justin Rose shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Masters. EPA/CJ GUNTHER
Justin Rose Sets the Pace at Masters 2025, McIlroy Stumbles Late
The 2025 Masters has officially teed off at Augusta National, and already, the leaderboard is starting to separate the contenders from the hopefuls.
Rose Rockets to the Top
Veteran English golfer Justin Rose kicked things off in style with a near-flawless 7-under-par 65 in the first round, marking the fifth time he’s led after Day 1 at Augusta — more than anyone in tournament history. Rose went on a blistering run with seven birdies and an eagle across just 10 holes, building a commanding four-shot cushion over the chasing pack.
“I’ve had some great moments here, and I feel like I’ve done enough over the years to earn the green jacket — just haven’t quite gotten it done yet,” Rose reflected after the round.
Rory’s Rough Ending
Rory McIlroy, aiming once again to complete the elusive career Grand Slam, started strong and had fans buzzing as he reached 4-under through 14 holes. But the final stretch unraveled quickly. Costly double bogeys at the 15th and 17th holes dragged him back to even par by the end of the round — a full seven strokes behind the leader.
History isn’t on his side either: no player in the past four decades has won the Masters after carding more than one double bogey in a single tournament, let alone the first round.
Disruption and Disappointment
According to golf analyst Paul McGinley, McIlroy may have been thrown off his rhythm due to slow play by his group, particularly Akshay Bhatia’s drawn-out routine on the 15th tee. That pause may have been enough to derail McIlroy’s tempo during a pivotal moment.
Despite the hiccup, McIlroy remains in the mix, but he’ll need something special over the next few rounds to make up the ground.
What’s Next?
With big names like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm lurking just a few shots back, the stage is set for a dramatic weekend at Augusta. But for now, it’s Justin Rose holding the spotlight — and maybe, just maybe, gearing up for the Masters redemption story he’s chased for years.
