(Photo cr: The Masters)
Augusta, April 11: History-maker Hiroshi Tai began his campaign at The Masters with a one-over-par 73 to emerge as the leading amateur after the first round at Augusta National on Thursday.
Tai, the first Singaporean golfer to feature at The Masters, traded two birdies, one bogey and a double bogey to share 38th place with 12 others, including Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele.
The 23-year-old also leads the five amateurs heading into the second round where England’s Justin Rose will tee off as the leader after signing for an opening 65.
Stepping onto the first tee at Augusta National was a momentous yet nervous one for the 23-year-old.
“It’s really cool to be here and getting all the support and messages from everyone. I took a couple of deep breaths. I was on the putting green and I saw the group in front of us go off and there were a lot of people there. I was like, this is a little different. I stepped on the tee, and luckily I hit it in the middle and hit a good one,” said Tai.
Tai parred the first seven holes before getting his first birdie on eight. He bogeyed 11 before a poor shot on 13 resulted in a double bogey. After marking his card with another four pars from 14, Tai closed his first round with a birdie on 18.
“I played really solid today, just one bad wedge shot on 13. The wind was kind of swirling there, which I knew was going to happen. It’s happened before, so I wasn’t too surprised. I kind of caught it a little thin.
“The biggest adjustment tomorrow is just getting enough rest and taking a couple more breaths, especially on some tougher shots.”
Tai starts round two at 8.35am (local time), playing alongside South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel and Denny McCarthy of the United States.
Ends.