- Casey is clubhouse leader on 65, Woods and Westwood post 68
- Three-hour rain delay meant full round was not completed
Father Time was perhaps riled by the domination of pre-Masters discussion with suggestions of what athleticism and equipment – or, to be precise, Bryson DeChambeau – may do to Augusta National. Sixteen years have passed since Paul Casey tied sixth on his Masters debut. Tiger Woods first competed at Augusta National two and a half decades ago. As DeChambeau battled swing demons – not entirely unsuccessfully it must be said – Casey strode to the top of the leaderboard, with Woods in close pursuit.
Casey’s 65 included five birdies and an eagle. It represented a 16-stroke improvement from the first Masters round of 2019. In truth, the latter performance is an anomaly in context of his strong Augusta record. A more pertinent reference point appears the Englishman’s second place in this summer’s US PGA Championship; but Georgia was always on his mind.
