The first round of the 2026 Masters is underway at Augusta National, with Rory McIlroy beginning his title defence on day one and the opening session already providing a stern test for the field.
Early updates from the tournament have focused not only on the leaders but also on the players struggling to find their footing on one of golf’s most demanding stages. Augusta National has a long record of exposing mistakes, and the day’s early play has shown that even experienced major contenders can be quickly put under pressure.
One of the tougher starts has belonged to Carlos Ortiz. The 34-year-old Mexican is making only his second Masters appearance and his first since 2021. Ortiz arrives with proven major-championship credentials, including a tie for fourth at last year’s US Open at Oakmont, but Augusta has not offered much room for recovery.
His round began poorly and got worse as he moved through the front nine. A drive into the creek down the left at the second hole, followed by a fluffed splash out of a fairway bunker at the fifth, set the tone for a difficult start. Through his first five holes, Ortiz posted scores of 5, 7, 5, 4 and 6, a sequence that included three bogeys and two doubles.
That left him at seven over par through five holes, a position that would leave any player scrambling simply to steady the round. Even a par at the sixth to halt the run would do little to ease the frustration of such an early collapse.
The Masters is known for producing dramatic shifts in momentum, and the opening stages of this year’s tournament are already reflecting that. While some players will be trying to build an early challenge, others are fighting simply to survive the conditions and the layout.
There is also a historical note attached to the day, with the 30th anniversary of one of the tournament’s memorable moments adding another layer of context to proceedings.
The official leaderboard remains the place to track developments as the round continues, with live coverage providing ongoing updates from Augusta National.
As the day goes on, attention will remain on McIlroy’s bid to defend his Masters title, but the first round has already shown that Augusta can quickly change the tone of a tournament. For some, it is a chance to establish control early. For others, like Ortiz, the challenge is far more immediate: avoid a round that slips away before it has properly begun.
