The Masters 2019: The best storylines from the first round at Augusta National

The Masters Tournament opened with its traditional fanfare on Thursday morning in Augusta, Georgia. After Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit their ceremonial first tee shots, the action that counted was entertaining from start to finish. Here are the top storylines to come out of the first round at the year’s first major.

The Masters Tournament is an event unlike any other. One of the things it does better than even its fellow major championships is the way it lends itself to storytelling. Think about it: with Augusta National playing host every year, it may as well be a Shakespearean drama on a stage of pine straw and azaleas. We’ve seen meteoric ascensions, disastrous falls from grace, and redemption, all on a nursery that became a sporting mecca.

This year is no different, and the opening round of the 2019 Masters provided plenty of great theatre. Granted, the powers that be at Augusta National ensure that some things never really change, but we also had some expectations turned on their heads. That’s what the pressure of this event will do to even the most seasoned competitors.

There’s a short turnaround between now and the start of Friday’s second round, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a moment to reflect on what we saw on Thursday, and what it could mean for the rest of the championship ahead. All in the name of the green jacket, and golfing immortality.

We don’t have time to cover absolutely everybody here, so here’s a brief look at the top ten as it stands on Thursday night.

T-1: Bryson DeChambeau, -6

T-1: Brooks Koepka, -6

3: Phil Mickelson, -5

T-4: Ian Poulter, -4

T-4: Dustin Johnson, -4

T-6: Justin Harding, -3

T-6: Adam Scott, -3

T-6: Jon Rahm, -3

T-6: Kevin Kisner, -3

T-6: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, -3

Let’s not waste any time and jump right in.