Masters first round recap: Big names atop leaderboard, Woods lingers near Top-10 after first round

Masters first round recap: Big names atop leaderboard, Woods lingers near Top-10

Posted: Apr 12, 2019 / 12:11 AM EDT / Updated: Apr 12, 2019 / 12:21 AM EDT

Tiger Woods reacts on the ninth hole during the first round for the Masters golf tournament Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

After one round of play, casual golf fans will recognize nearly every golfer sitting in the Top-10 at the 2019 Masters

Brooks Koepka, winner of three majors, shot a 6-under 66 to put himself in a tie with RBC Heritage commit Bryson DeChambeau.

Phil Mickelson, seeking his fourth green jacket, birdied five of his last seven holes on his way to a 5-under 67.

The morning crowds had their eyes on Tiger Woods who, at age 43, found himself tied atop the leaderboard before the afternoon groups teed off. Woods avoided disaster throughout the round and carded four birdies as he finished the day tied for 11th at 2-under.

“The whole idea is to peak four times a year. I feel like my body is good and my game is good and sharp,” Woods told reporters. “I have to go out there and execute and do the proper things. If I do miss I have to miss the proper spots.”

The second round starts Friday morning, when the first grouping tees off at 8:30 a.m.

Start times and groupings for Friday’s round are as follows:

8:30 a.m. — Sandy Lyle, Michael Kim, Patton Kizzire

8:41 a.m. — Trevor Immelman, Martin Kaymer, Devon Bling

8:52 a.m. — Larry Mize, Jimmy Walker, Stewart Cink

9:03 a.m. — Jose Maria Olazabal, Kevin Na, Thorbjorn Olesen

9:14 a.m. — Bernhard Langer, Matt Wallace, Alvaro Ortiz

9:25 a.m. — Alex Noren, Keegan Bradley, Matthew Fitzpatrick

9:36 a.m. — Vijay Singh, Billy Horschel, Jovan Rebula

9:47 a.m. — Kevin Kisner, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Shugo Imahira

9:58 a.m. — Zach Johnson, Ian Poulter, Matt Kuchar

10:09 a.m. — Francesco Molinari, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Tyrrell Hatton