Day one of The Masters 2026 is underway at Augusta National, with early first-round action producing both familiar test-and-trouble moments and reminders of the tournament’s long history.
For Carlos Ortiz, the opening stretch has been especially punishing. The 34-year-old Mexican is making only his second Masters appearance, and his first since 2021. Ortiz arrived at Augusta with clear pedigree in major championship golf, underlined by last year’s tie for fourth at the US Open at Oakmont. But Augusta National has quickly shown its difficulty.
His round began with a drive into the creek down the left side of the second hole. At the fifth, he then fluffed a splash out of a fairway bunker. Those errors have left him with a difficult sequence of 5-7-5-4-6, a run that includes three bogeys and two doubles.
Through five holes, Ortiz is seven over par and already facing the sort of uphill battle that can make a Masters opening round feel like a long day. Even a par at the sixth, while useful in ending the bad run, would do little to repair the damage from such a difficult start.
The early play at Augusta also comes with a note of Masters history. This day marks the 30th anniversary of one of the tournament’s memorable moments, a reminder that while the present round is still unfolding, the event is always shadowed by the moments that have defined it over the years.
As the first round continues, attention remains on the official leaderboard and the shifting fortunes of the field. Augusta National has a way of turning a promising start into a grind, and for some players the challenge is already visible in the opening holes.
More first-round updates from The Masters 2026 are expected as the day goes on.
