Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau burst out of the crowd at Augusta National on Thursday, firing six-under 66s to share a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson after the first round of the Masters.
Hours after 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods electrified fans by briefly putting his name atop the leaderboard, Koepka lit up the fabled course with five birdies over six holes to break free atop a crowded leaderboard that at one point saw nine players sharing the lead.
Birdie parade
But DeChambeau had an answer, roaring home with four straight birdies — six on his last seven holes.
Mickelson, the three-time Masters winner who at 48 could become the oldest Major winner ever, kept pace with the 20-something leaders with five birdies on the last seven holes in his five-under 67.
Former champion Adam Scott of Australia, Spain's Jon Rahm, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, South African Justin Harding and American Kevin Kiser were a shot behind on three-under 69, with Woods heading a big group on 70.
Red-hot Rory McIlroy, seeking a breakthrough Masters that would make him just the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam, was left regretting six bogeys in a one-over 73.
Koepka, winner of a second straight US Open title last year along with the PGA Championship, didn't put a foot wrong. “I don't want to say you kind of black out, but you're not really thinking about anything,” he said of his hot stretch.
DeChambeau kept the pressure on. He, too, nearly aced 16, he chipped in at 17 and his 195-yard second shot at 18 rattled the flagstick but didn't drop, leaving him a last tap-in birdie.
“What a magical back nine,” said DeChambeau, who had never posted a round in the 60s at Augusta.
Afternoon fireworks
There was little in the early scores to predict the late afternoon fireworks, although when McIlroy came off the course, he said he was surprised no one had yet taken advantage of the rain-softened layout.
Woods pronounced himself pleased with his two-under effort — which matched his first-round score for three of his four Masters triumphs.
