Matsuyama opens Masters campaign with a 73

Hideki Matsuyama traded two birdies against one bogey and a double bogey to end day one of the 2025 Masters Tournament in tied-38^th place, eight shot back of Justin Rose, who leads with a 65.

Matsuyama is making his 14^th Masters start, having recorded eight top-20 finishes in the last 10 years, including his historic win in 2021 when he beat Will Zalatoris by one shot to become the first male Japanese to win the Masters.

The 33-year-old birdied holes seven and eight for a flawless front nine. After pars on 10 and 11, he found trouble on 12 where he bogeyed, followed by a double bogey on 13.

Matsuyama, however, steadied the ship by carding five straight pars to close out his round.

“It was a tough day overall. I felt good after the birdies on the front nine, but the mistake on 13 was disappointing, and I couldn’t make the birdie putt on 18 even though I was in a good spot. It just wasn’t a good day, but hopefully, I can get some birdies tomorrow,” said Matsuyama.