At Augusta National, expectations crumble faster than the edges of its devilish greens. The opening round of the 2025 Masters proved this timeless truth once again. Players arriving with confidence left the course shaken. Others came with questions and departed with answers.

The ceremonial tee shots from Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player kicked off the 89th Masters in style. Then the real action began. Players faced pristine conditions with sunshine and little wind, though Augusta’s greens remained characteristically firm and unforgiving.

While some conquered the course, others were thoroughly humbled. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler looked comfortable from the start. Justin Rose surged to a commanding lead. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy‘s quest for the career Grand Slam took a devastating turn.

Let’s dive into the most unforgettable moments from an action-packed Thursday at Augusta National.

1. Justin Rose’s record-breaking 65

Rose stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a stunning 7-under 65. The 44-year-old Englishman started hot with three consecutive birdies. He maintained his momentum with another birdie streak from Yellow Jasmine through Camellia (holes 8-10). Despite a bogey on Holly, the final hole, Rose finished three strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. This marked Rose’s fifth time leading after the opening round at Augusta. He broke Jack Nicklaus’ long-standing record in the process. “Golf is not going to get easier for me in the next years,” Rose admitted after his round. His performance was a masterclass in precision putting and strategic course management. The veteran showed why experience counts at Augusta National.

2. Fred Couples’s dramatic eagle hole-out

Ageless wonder Fred Couples delivered one of the day’s most electric moments. At 65 years old, he holed out for eagle on Chinese Fir, the 14th, from 191 yards. The gallery erupted as his hybrid shot bounced once and disappeared into the cup. Couples celebrated with a fist pump and kissed his club in appreciation. This incredible shot moved him from 1-over to 1-under par. He ultimately finished with a remarkable 71. Couples became the second-oldest player in Masters history to break par in a round. His eagle reminded everyone why he remains a fan favorite at Augusta.

3. Nick Dunlap’s nightmare 90

The flip side of Augusta’s glory was on full display in Dunlap’s catastrophic round. He carded an 18-over-par 90, one of the worst rounds in recent Masters history. His scorecard revealed the carnage: a triple bogey on Magnolia (5th), double bogeys on White Dogwood (11th), Golden Bell (12th), Redbud (16th), and Holly (18th), plus seven bogeys. Not a single birdie appeared amid the wreckage.

Dunlap’s back-nine 47 epitomized Augusta’s ability to humiliate even skilled players. His round finished 11 strokes worse than the second-highest score of the day. This performance continued a troubling trend—his third score in the 80s across his last seven competitive rounds. Augusta National showed no mercy to a struggling Dunlap.

4. Rory McIlroy’s shocking collapse

McIlroy’s Masters heartbreak continued devastatingly. The Northern Irishman was cruising at 4-under through Chinese Fir. He looked primed to challenge for the lead. Then Augusta’s cruel nature struck. His approach to Firethorn, the par-5 15th, sailed over the green. His delicate chip rolled into the water. This led to a disastrous double-bogey seven. Lightning struck twice when McIlroy doubled Nandina as well. Four shots vanished in just three holes. His quest for the career Grand Slam took another brutal hit. McIlroy finished with an even-par 72, seven shots behind leader Rose. The frustration was evident as he exited Holly, without talking to the media.

5. Scottie Scheffler’s bogey-free defense

The defending champion displayed why he remains golf’s most consistent force. Scheffler carded a bogey-free 68, placing himself firmly in contention. His round included spectacular long-distance birdie conversions. A 62-foot putt dropped on Flowering Crab Apple. He later added a 42-footer on Redbud, the 16th.

Scheffler navigated difficult situations with remarkable composure. On Yellow Jasmine, his approach landed in a deep divot. “It was pretty challenging,” Scheffler explained afterward. “I hit a really awesome shot to get it to about 15 feet.” He converted the birdie putt, showcasing his unwavering focus. Scheffler became the fourth defending champion in 30 years to open with a bogey-free round.

6. Jon Rahm’s temper tantrum

The fiery Spaniard’s frustrations boiled over spectacularly. Rahm nearly snapped his driver after a poor swing on Carolina Cherry. His ball disappeared deep into Augusta’s unforgiving underbrush. The former Masters champion couldn’t contain his anger. He berated himself while stomping down the fairway. This outburst reflected his ongoing struggles since joining LIV Golf. Rahm’s frustration only increased throughout the round. He ultimately signed for a disappointing 75, leaving him ten shots off the lead. His body language told the story of a champion fighting his swing and emotions simultaneously.

7. Ballester’s bathroom break in Rae’s Creek

Perhaps the day’s most bizarre moment came courtesy of Spanish amateur José Luis Ballester. The 21-year-old was playing alongside Scheffler and Justin Thomas when nature called. Forgetting about the restrooms near Azalea, Ballester sprinted across the fairway. To everyone’s astonishment, he relieved himself into Rae’s Creek. The galleries responded with unexpected applause. “It was probably one of the really loud claps that I got today,” Ballester remarked afterward. More surprising was his unrepentant attitude. “If I had to do it again, I would do it again,” he insisted. Augusta’s officials have yet to comment on this unprecedented behavior at golf’s most traditional venue.

8. Bernhard Langer’s nostalgic tribute

In a touching tribute to his Masters legacy, Bernhard Langer recreated his iconic 1985 outfit during his 41st and final appearance at Augusta. The 67-year-old German champion donned a red shirt, white belt, and white visor—the same ensemble he wore when claiming his first green jacket four decades ago. “I was the original red shirt wearer; Tiger Woods came later,” Langer quipped with characteristic humility. Despite facing a course nearly 600 yards longer than the one he conquered in 1985, Langer delivered a respectable 2-over 74. His round featured a brilliant birdie on Flowering Peach, the par-4 3rd hole.

Round one at Augusta delivered its trademark mix of brilliance and heartbreak. The leaderboard features familiar names and surprising contenders. With three days remaining, the only certainty is uncertainty. Augusta National rewards patience and punishes aggression. Who will wear the Green Jacket on Sunday? The journey continues tomorrow. What was your favorite moment from the opening round? Let us know in the comments below!