New Zealand Golfer Ryan Fox Surges and Stumbles at US Masters, DeChambeau Leads

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox made a remarkable start at the US Masters, showcasing a mix of brilliance and a few stumbles at Augusta National Golf Club. The 37-year-old surged into an early lead with a scintillating first nine holes, only to encounter challenges on the back nine, finishing with a solid round of three-under 69, placing him in a share of sixth position.

Fox’s explosive start was highlighted by a sequence of birdies on the initial three holes, followed by a stunning eagle on the par-five eighth hole, propelling him to five-under. However, the latter part of his round saw Fox falter with two dropped shots on the par-five 13th hole and the par-three 16th.

Currently, Fox sits four shots behind the early pacesetter Bryson DeChambeau, who displayed a dominant performance at the Masters, carding a seven-under-par 65. DeChambeau’s impressive round included eight birdies, with just one bogey, asserting his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Among other notable contenders, Scottie Scheffler, the reigning world number one and 2022 Masters champion, put up a bogey-free six-under 66 to stay within striking distance of the lead. Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and former Masters winner Danny Willett also showed strong performances to stay in the mix.

LIV Tour player DeChambeau’s stellar play marked a significant turnaround in form, setting a high standard for the field despite challenging conditions at Augusta. As the first round unfolded, top players like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and defending champion Jon Rahm faced varied fortunes on the prestigious course.

The delayed start of the tournament meant that golf icons like Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson were unable to complete their opening rounds, adding further anticipation to the event. The US Masters continues to captivate fans with its blend of drama, skill, and unexpected twists as the competition unfolds.