On a day of low scoring at Augusta, we were treated to some superb shots. Here's our top five - and how to play them
The Top 5 Shots From Day One Of The Masters
Conditions at Augusta National don’t get much friendlier than they did on day one of the Masters – calm, soft and not too cold, despite the rain which caused a three-hour delay at the start of the day.
And when the world’s best got going, they put on quite a display.
World number one Dustin Johnson came out of the blocks fast [Getty Images]
We saw a plethora of birdies, as the entire field took advantage of the forgiving greens and went pin hunting.
The top 5 shots? Here are our favourites – plus we have some top tips and advice from the pros and our Top 25 Coaches on how to play them.
So, in no particular order…
The Top 5 Shots From Day One Of The Masters
1. Paul Casey, par-5 2nd, ‘The Soft Draw’
The 2nd may be a par 5, but today’s pin position was not one you could attack with your second shot – unless you name was Paul Casey or Dustin Johnson.
Jon Rahm also gets a special mention for knocking one pretty close.
Casey leaps into the lead following an eagle on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/6yxHZdyf8M
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020
Related: Hitting A Draw
Top 25 coach Paul Foston talks through the basic technique required for hitting a draw.
2. Justin Thomas, par-4 5th, ‘The Big Breaking Putt’
The greens may have been soft, but that doesn’t mean we saw nothing but tap-ins.
This wasn’t just a big breaker; Thomas was required to negotiate quite a large slope.
His birdie on one of the hardest greens on the course was no tramliner, but it was one very impressive read.
-4 through five holes. Quite the start for Justin Thomas. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gNYQx3OiKt
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020
Related: 16 Tour Pro Green Reading Tips
Top tips from the Tour on how to become a better putter.
3. Dustin Johnson, par-5 2nd, ‘The Raking Draw’
A player who can hit fades all day long, the world number one isn’t too shabby when it comes to playing a draw, either.
How about this at the par-5 2nd to set up an eagle – which he calmly holed.
Anything Casey can do…
Top-ranked golfer in the world Dustin Johnson makes a smooth eagle on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/6thQmxQGXl
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020
Related: How Do I Hit A Draw Shot In Golf?
Watch Top 25 Coach Andrew Jones explain how to hit a draw shot.
4. Patrick Reed, par-4 9th, ‘The High Cut’
The 2018 Masters champion doesn’t just know how to play a high cut – he can do so off the pine straw.
A slinging approach to two feet on No. 9 by past champion Patrick Reed. #themasters pic.twitter.com/lFTZ1eSe9H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020
Related: Iron Play Tips – How To Practice
PGA Pro Luke Peterken gives some iron play tips so you can make your practice more efficient and post better scores.
Tony Finau, par-5 15th, ‘The Greenside Bunker Shot’
On 15, the American demonstrated his exquisite short game skills with this perfect greenside bunker shot.
If you’re being critical, you could say it was going to end up a good few feet past, but the technique was delightful.
A hole-out for eagle from the bunker for Tony Finau. #themasters pic.twitter.com/IUu1Uh9VZ7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020
Related: How To Play Bunker Shots
Rick Shiels explains how to play bunker shots from greenside traps so you escape sand every time.
These were the top 5 shots from day one of The Masters.
Who’s looking forward to day two?
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