'Free' McIlroy launches his Masters repeat bidAmerican Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, started birdie-eagle to grab the early lead in the opening round of the 90th Masters. Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, seized the early lead at three-under par. Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, the 1994 and 1999 Masters champion, birdied the par-five second and par-three third holes then parred his way through the front nine. The American won LIV Golf titles last month at Singapore and South Africa and pressed McIlroy in last year's Masters final Sunday group before sharing fifth. Alongside DeChambeau were England's Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, and compatriot Xander Schauffele, the 2024 British Open and PGA Chamoionship winner.

Source: Bangkok Post April 09, 2026 16:46 UTC