**Scottie Scheffler Trails Justin Rose After First Round at Masters**
**Meta Description:** Justin Rose leads the Masters after a stellar first round, while Scottie Scheffler and others chase the title at Augusta National.
**URL Slug:** masters-2024-first-round-recap
**Headline:** Justin Rose Takes Early Lead at the Masters, Scottie Scheffler in Pursuit
In an exciting first round at Augusta National Golf Club, Justin Rose emerged as the leader of the Masters, finishing with an impressive score of 7-under par. The Englishman, competing in his 20th Masters, showcased his skills with a remarkable performance, gaining a three-stroke advantage over defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who shot 4-under.
Rose, whose only major victory came at the 2013 U.S. Open, matched his best round ever at Augusta, marking the fifth time he has led after the first round of this prestigious tournament. He started strong, birdieing the first three holes and finishing the front nine at 5-under after additional birdies on the 8th and 9th holes. Although he briefly flirted with the record for the best opening round in Masters history, he ended with a bogey on the 18th hole, unable to find the fairway.
Scheffler, who faced questions about his performance due to a hand injury sustained earlier in the year, managed to set himself up well for the tournament. He made a spectacular 60-foot birdie on the par-3 fourth hole and finished his round without any bogeys. He shares the 4-under score with Canadian Corey Conners, who also made a strong finish by birdieing three of his last four holes. Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, last year’s runner-up, joined them at 4-under after a solid back nine.
Rory McIlroy, in pursuit of his first Masters title to complete a career Grand Slam, started strong at 4-under after 14 holes. However, a mistake on the par-5 15th hole hindered his progress, as he struggled to recover after his second shot went through the green.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Rose to see if he can maintain his lead, while Scheffler and others aim to close the gap in the coming rounds.
**FAQ:**
*What is the significance of Justin Rose’s lead in the Masters?*
Justin Rose’s lead after the first round highlights his strong performance and experience at Augusta, setting the stage for a competitive tournament as he seeks to secure his first Masters title.
