GOLF: Rose fades late but stays in Masters contention after first round

Justin Rose carded a two-under-par 70 but late bogeys left him three shots off the lead after an otherwise strong start at Augusta. He sits alongside a group including Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry, while Rory McIlroy also remains in contention at the Masters.

REUTERS

April 10, 2026

England's Justin Rose hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S., on April 9, 2026.

Mike Segar / Reuters

AUGUSTA, Georgia — Justin Rose made a strong return to Masters contention in his first opening round since last year’s playoff heartbreak, but a late stumble left him three shots off the lead on Thursday.

The Englishman, runner-up at Augusta in 2025 after losing a playoff to Rory McIlroy, carded a two-under-par 70 to sit level with a group that included Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry.

Rose moved to four under and remained bogey-free through 13 holes before his round unraveled on the back nine at Augusta National Golf Club.

A bogey at the 14th briefly stalled his momentum, but he responded with a birdie at the par-five 15th to stay within one shot of the lead. However, dropped shots at the 17th and 18th saw him slip back, ending a rollercoaster finish to an otherwise composed round.

“I think overall a good start,” Rose said. “Obviously my day was spoiled a little bit by two late bogeys, but other than that, I think it’s a good start to the tournament.”

Conditions became more difficult as the day progressed at Augusta National, with firmer greens and shifting winds making scoring increasingly challenging, particularly on the closing stretch.

“The par-five greens are getting much firmer now, so going for those greens in two is not such an easy thing,” Rose said. “Aggressive play hurts you out here.”

Drawing on his experience, Rose said patience was key on a course where conditions can change quickly.

“Every hole you’re just being patient, knowing that grinding out pars is a good thing,” he said. “Experience doesn’t really make it any easier, it just makes you know what to expect.”

It marked the 12th time Rose has opened the Masters with an under-par round.

The 45-year-old has finished runner-up at Augusta three times, including two playoff defeats, most recently last year, as he continues his pursuit of a first Green Jacket.

“There’s nothing I can say I need to massively do differently. It’s just about finding that special shot in the moment,” Rose told Sky Sports. “Until then, it’s about doing what I am doing and not forcing a win.” -Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Jamie Freed/Reuters