No LIV Golf player managed to break par in round one of the Masters as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau struggled on a bruising Thursday at Augusta National.
Sergio Garcia, who finished level par after a round of 72, was the breakaway Saudi-backed series’ best finisher after an opening 18 contested in tough conditions on firm and fast surfaces.
Rahm, the 2023 champion, and the big-hitting DeChambeau had been fancied by many to contend after encouraging form on LIV this year but could well find themselves battling to even make the cut.
DeChambeau’s iron play was short of where it needed to be as he carded a four-over 76, with Rahm two shots worse off and 11 behind first round co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns.
“It's a hard golf course," Rahm, who tops the LIV rankings this season, said after his 78. "Some of the players might have been able to manage a respectable round, but when you have no feel with the swing whatsoever, it's just not an easy one."
With a dry, hot and windy weekend ahead, course conditions are likely to only get tougher over the next few days.
Among the other LIV players in the field are Dustin Johnson (+1), Cam Smith (+2) and two-time winner Bubba Watson (+4). Phil Mickelson is absent as he attends to a family health matter.
A better first day was had by a recently-departed rebel. Patrick Reed left LIV at the start of 2026 and has since won twice on the DP World Tour as he prepares to make his PGA Tour return in August.
He sits two back from the co-leaders and firmly in contention.
"This is one of those places that the more you think about it, the more you think ahead, the more it bites you," said the American, who started birdie-eagle and led the tournament at five under when he reached the turn.
"When I won in 2018 it was the first year I actually fully bought into just taking it day by day and shot by shot.
"I think that's what my recipe is because when you get to the first major you're always going to put too much pressure on yourself, you're always going to grind a little harder.
"Golf is one of those games if you start trying to force things, you actually get worse. So if you win more battles than lose, you have a good opportunity at the end."
Additional reporting by PA
Familiarity breeds success for surging Rory McIlroy on Masters opening day
Rory McIlroy cheered by ‘great start’ as he seeks back-to-back Masters victories
The Masters 2026 second-round tee times and how to watch on TV
Robert MacIntyre faces reprimand after giving Masters the middle finger
The Masters LIVE: Latest updates and leaderboard as McIlroy holds overnight lead
The Masters 2026 second-round tee times and how to watch on TV
