After a dalliance with sweater weather to begin play on Thursday, Augusta National Golf Club settled into a more comfortable and familiar climate. As the day progressed, quarter-zips came off and short sleeves became the apparel of choice. A number of golfers jumped up early, to 3 and 4 under par, but were unable to sustain the momentum. They eventually dropped back, as the favorites joined the chase. The lead after 18 holes was 7 under par, and was followed a bit away, by a trio of golfers at minus 4. The game is barely afoot, but there are five things worth mentioning. It is our pleasure to bring the five things that we learned to you, on this Thursday of Masters 2025.

Bryson DeChambeau moves into a tie for second. #themasters pic.twitter.com/n082h1YWPy

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Five: Augusta respects the wizened 

How else to explain the success that seasoned citizens have at Berckman’s Place? Bernhard Langer was 1 under par for much of the day, before sliding a bit, to plus 2 74. Fred Couples, a bit younger than Bernhard, posted 71 on the day, highlighted by a holed hybrid for eagle two at the dangerous 14th hole.  Couples benefitted from a hot putter, using it to save bogey at 13 and par at 16, and make a few more along the way.

In His Words: “I hit most of the fairways and drove it well. Got a little windy and chipped a little bit better than I normally do around here. I hit two really, really good shots on 1. I don’t know if anyone saw it. Flew right by the hole and trickled and trickled down the embankment down where you don’t want to ever be left. And I holed it. Putted it up in into the hole for birdie.”

Into the hole from 191 yards. Fred Couples eagles No. 14! #themasters pic.twitter.com/5KD2bMUKv6

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Four: Conners wants more than low Canadian

There’s always one golfer who doesn’t get social media love, despite playing his heart out. That golfer this year is Corey Conners, pride of Listowel, Ontario, Canada. Conners has three top-10 finishes in Georgia, tying for 10th, 8th, and 6th in consecutive playings. Conners posted five birdies against a solitary bogey. He stumbled at the massive fifth hole, perhaps the most daunting par 4 and green on the golf course. Two holes later, perhaps with momentum on the line, he holed from a greenside bunker to save par. We’re not saying that Conners will win, but we are saying that he should be in contention come Sunday.

In His Words: “I was a little bit sloppy on 5, making a bogey. Again, a little bit sloppy on 7, left it in the bunker on my third shot. To see that go in, that was great. I was trying hard to get it up-and-down the second time, and it went in. That was a nice bonus and definitely a momentum builder.”

Three: Oh, Baby! Aberg back at it

Ludvig Aberg played the sort of round that lends credence to the notion that he is built to play this course well. Playing it well and winning, well, they are distant kinfolk. Think back to the Lehmans, the Normans, who played this course well, year in and out, but never put on the jacket. If Aberg keeps doing the things that he has thus far, he’ll have a chance to add to his wardrobe. Like Conners, Aberg had five birdies against one bogey. His slip-up came at the short fourth, a daunting par three down a hill. Aberg closed with a massive drive, straight and true, and a dagger of an iron to gimme range. Despite just five competitive rounds at the course, Aberg already reveals an understanding that you take what it will give, nothing more.

In His Words: “It was sneaky hard. There isn’t a ton of wind, but it still swirls. There’s a few greens that gets a little crusty towards the end of the afternoon, and you really have to place your second shots if you’re good off the tee. It makes it tricky when the wind kind of goes back in your face and then down.,,But 15 was a great example where we could have hit 6 but hit a little chippy 5 to make sure it would cover and take that chip from the back, but overall, pleased.”

A chip-in three on No. 3. Ludvig Åberg reaches red numbers. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Ym8ZIhvWQA

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Two: King Scottie is back for more

He is the defending champion. He is in possession of two coveted jackets. He has a caddie built to win at Augusta, with four champions flags to his credit. Scottie Scheffler has everything going his way, so what could impede his march to a third title? We have no idea. Scheffler quietly, patiently, surgically added up 68 shots on Thursday, thanks to four birdies and fourteen pars. He made zero scorecard mistakes and seemed quite happy with his performance. Ecstatic? No. Ebulient? No. Satisfied? Yes.

In His Words: “I had a feeling the golf course was going to get pretty firm. The areas to hit your irons out here are pretty small and they get even smaller when the greens are firm, so there’s definitely some challenge to the golf course today, and I’m sure that’ll continue as the week goes on.”

From 40 feet away! Scottie Scheffler makes birdie on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2e2NeEhUdc

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

One: Rose rises

No one really saw this coming. We imagined that Justin Rose’s best chance at a green jacket slipped away in 2017. His playoff loss to a fortunate Sergio Garcia portended additional opportunities for the Englishman, but they never came. Last season, Rose tied for second at The Open, so perhaps he has a second major in the offing. The Englishman has 19 top-ten finishes in the four majors, in addition to his seminal 2013 U.S. Open title. His recent history at Augusta National is not stellar, but his is the sort of mind and game that allow for a breakthrough at any moment.

In His Words: “So for the first few holes everything was going exactly where I was looking, and certainly the first hole, which is definitely one of the trickier holes on the golf course, to knock in a nice 25-footer down the hill right-to-left, exactly what you need to settle yourself into the Masters, and then 2 and 3 are birdie opportunities.

“So to be 3-under through 3 kind of really got me on the front foot and felt like I was playing great golf. When I did find myself into in a little bit of trouble, especially early, No. 5, holed a great putt for par. And middle of the back nine I felt like there were a couple moments where the momentum could have changed. But really good up-and-downs on 14 and 15 to keep the round really hot.

“Obviously the only blemish on 18, but there’s no point dwelling on that.”

Patient decisions and accurate execution lead to a birdie on No. 15 for leader Justin Rose. #themasters pic.twitter.com/53oUsPioYe

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025