ZOZO Round One: Tension! Birdies! Bent Clubs! We Have Tangible Evidence The (Fall) Masters Is Near
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Nothing against the fall or even the ZOZO, rather miraculously rescheduled despite the sponsor having no place in the American market. But this is typically not a time of year you see players bend clubs, blow off the media, tell dad to lose the tips, or grind on the range until dark.
Day one at Sherwood saw a bit of everything and the stunning scoring you might expect with perfect conditioning, a healthy purse and players seeking momentum into the rescheduled Masters (November 12-15).
A stout 24 players posted 68 or better, with leader Sebastian Munoz 64 despite two bogies and a double. He leads by one over the sizzling Tyrell Hatton and Justin Thomas who finished his round eagle, birdie, birdie.
While spectators are not allowed, local boy Matthew Wolff did have family and friends moving around the property as he predicted Wednesday. Imagine the pride of walking off the fourth tee with Tiger Woods:
Wolff opened with a 69 that included a lost ball at the par-4 14th. He drove the first green, hit the oak next to the surface and made a 17'10” putt for eagle.
Woods, looking fit and swinging beautifully, posted a disastrous 76, his worst round at Sherwood by two. He headed straight to the parking lot—not even stopping for his friends at GolfTV—after signing a card with two birdies, four bogies and a double at the par-5 13th.
Rory McIlroy posted a one under -71 and in uncharacteristic fashion, took out a club on the 18th fairway.
After a -2 70, Jordan Spieth shared a light story about getting just a bit too much advice from his caddie. Who also helped bring him into this world.
Steve DiMeglio explains for Golfweek.
And there was this:
