Masters in numbers: First round stats
The best facts and figures from a blustery opening round of the 2017 Masters from Augusta National...
Birdies, eagles, greens in regulation and DJ’s withdrawal, the first round provided a whole host of fascinating statistics. Here is the first round of the Masters in numbers.
- Justin Thomas hit the most greens in regulation: 15 out of 18 (83.33 per cent). Seven players were tied in second place for the highest amount greens hit in regulation. Andy Sullivan, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Kevin Chappell, Ross Fisher, Justin Rose and Charley Hoffman all hit 14 out of 18 greens in regulation (77.78 percent).
- Charley Hoffman led the way in birdies. The American racked up nine birdies on his way to a sensational opening round of 65.
- Hoffman’s four-shot buffer over William McGirt is the largest opening round lead at the Masters since 1941 when American Craig Wood led the field by five shots after carding a 66. Jack Burke Jr also led by four strokes in 1955. He would go on to finish in tie for 13th.
- Dustin Johnson’s withdrawal from the tournament is just the second time a No. 1 player hasn’t played the Masters. The first was Tiger Woods in 2014.
- Jordan Spieth took nine strokes on the 15th hole. No player has ever made worse than seven on any hole in the Masters and won that week.
- Charley Hoffman became just the third player in Masters history to birdie all four of Augusta’s par 3s in a single round.
- Phil Mickelson’s eagle on the second hole was his first eagle on that particular hole since his second round in 1998.
- There were three eagles in total in the first round – Martin Kaymer and Phil Mickelson at the par-5 2nd, and Danny Willett at the par-5 13th.
- Charley Hoffman’s opening score of 65 and a 69 from William McGirt means that at least one player has broken 70 in the first round of the Masters stretching all the way back to 1958.
- The 1st hole, Tea Olive, statistically played as the hardest of the first round, with the par 4 averaging 4.5484. There was just one birdie all day.
- The par-5 13th was the easiest hole of the day, averaging 4.7097. The hole yielded one eagle and 34 birdies.
- Only two first round leaders or co-leaders have gone on to win the Masters since 1985. They were Trevor Immelman and Jordan Spieth.
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