The 2025 Masters Tournament is officially underway at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, and it has already delivered thrilling moments and competitive spirit among the world’s best golfers. Among them, Nick Taylor, the former University of Washington star, is making his mark in his third appearance at the prestigious event, while fellow Canadian Corey Conners has surged to the top of the leaderboard.
As the tournament began on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Taylor teed off at 9:11 a.m. alongside golfing heavyweights Dustin Johnson and amateur Justin Hastings. Currently ranked No. 31 in the world, Taylor has a rich history in golf, boasting five PGA Tour victories, including one in the last three years. His journey began at UW, where he won the 2009 Mark H. McCormack Medal and the 2010 Ben Hogan Award, solidifying his status as an elite amateur golfer. He spent 20 weeks as the top-ranked amateur before turning professional in 2010. Taylor's best finish at the Masters came in 2020 when he tied for 29th.
Meanwhile, the tournament has also seen the return of Seattle native Fred Couples, who made history by becoming the 15th player to compete in at least 40 Masters tournaments. The 1992 Masters champion has a storied career, with 11 top-10 finishes and 20 top-25 finishes at Augusta. At 63 years old, Couples made headlines again by becoming the oldest player to make the cut at the Masters, a testament to his enduring talent and passion for the game.
In a surprising twist, the tournament has welcomed a new face in Taylor Pendrith, who is making his Masters debut. Pendrith, who was once the MVP of his high school baseball team and also played junior hockey, expressed his disbelief at reaching this level of golf. "Honestly, even the first few years in college playing college golf, I didn’t really know I was going to play professionally," Pendrith told reporters. His participation adds to the growing Canadian presence at the Masters, with four Canadians competing this year.
As the first round progressed, the leaderboard saw some intense competition. Corey Conners fired an impressive four-under 68, tying for the clubhouse lead. Conners showcased his skills with five birdies and only one bogey, finishing strong with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. This performance adds to his reputation as a formidable competitor at Augusta, where he has previously recorded three top-10 finishes.
However, not all Canadian golfers fared as well. Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, started strong but ended the day with a three-over 75 after a series of bogeys. Pendrith struggled in his first round, finishing at five-over 77, leaving him with work to do on Friday to make the cut.
As the round unfolded, the leaderboard was led by Justin Rose, who posted an impressive six-under through 12 holes, showcasing a stress-free round that included birdies on the first three holes and then three more in succession from the eighth to the tenth. Following closely behind were Conners, Scottie Scheffler, and Tyrrell Hatton, all tied at four-under.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler began his title defense with a solid bogey-free round, shooting a 68, matching the best first-round score for a defending champion since Jordan Spieth's 66 in 2016. Scheffler's performance included a remarkable 62-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fourth hole, demonstrating his confidence and skill on the course.
As the day progressed, the excitement continued to build. Fred Couples, at 65 years old, made headlines by carding a 191-yard eagle shot on the 14th hole, showcasing that age is just a number when it comes to talent on the golf course. His performance has been a highlight for fans, as he seeks to add to his legacy at Augusta.
The Masters, known for its rich history and tradition, is not just about the competition but also the stories that unfold throughout the tournament. With the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka also in contention, the excitement is palpable as the tournament progresses.
As the first round continues, fans are encouraged to tune in to the live coverage, which is available on ESPN and various streaming platforms. The Masters promises to deliver drama and excitement as the best golfers in the world vie for the coveted green jacket.
With the tournament running from April 10 to April 13, all eyes will be on Augusta National as players battle it out on the course. The anticipation builds as the cut looms after Friday’s round, and the quest for the green jacket continues.
