2025 Masters Day 1 Live Leaderboard: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler Defends Title

The Masters 2025 Day One: Scheffler Begins Title Defense Amid Crowded Leaderboard
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia | Updated: 16:12 BST, 10 April 2025

Honorary Starters Kick Off Tournament

The 2025 Masters began with legends Jack Nicklaus (85), Gary Player (89), and Tom Watson (75) delivering ceremonial tee shots. Nicklaus drew cheers for a drive straight down the fairway, while Watson charmed the crowd with a playful club twirl.

Gary Player at the ceremonial tee-off.

Early Leaderboard Drama

By 11:00 AM, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and England’s Aaron Rai shared the lead at -3. Jaeger, playing in his second Masters, capitalized on precise iron play, while Rai carded three early birdies. LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann (-2) also impressed, birdying three of his first four holes.

Notable Scores (11:00 AM Update):

• T1. Stephan Jaeger, Aaron Rai (-3)
• T3. Joaquin Niemann, Chris Kirk (-2)
• T5. Zach Johnson, Nicolai Hojgaard (-1)

Stephan Jaeger eyes his second shot on the 5th hole.

Scheffler’s Title Defense Underway

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler began his quest for back-to-back green jackets alongside Justin Thomas and amateur Jose Luis Ballester. While Scheffler found the fairway, Thomas struggled with a wayward drive. The Texan remains a favorite at +600 odds.

Scheffler with his son Bennett during the Par-3 Contest.

Cinderella Stories

• Noah Kent, the University of Florida amateur, briefly held a share of the lead at -1 despite a neck injury from sleeping in Augusta’s cramped Crow’s Nest.
• Nicolai Hojgaard rebounded from a disastrous start (+3 through 2 holes) with five birdies in six holes to climb back to even par.

Augusta’s Split Personality

While the course dazzled with blooming azaleas, DailyMail.com’s Isabel Baldwin revealed Augusta’s contrasting reality: a city grappling with poverty outside the club’s pristine gates.

Par-3 Contest Highlights

Rory McIlroy’s daughter Poppy stole the show by sinking a long putt during the family-friendly event. Nicolas Echavarria won the contest but faces the “Par-3 Curse”—no winner has ever claimed the Masters in the same year.

Poppy McIlroy’s memorable putt.

Farewell to a Legend

Two-time champion Bernhard Langer (67) teed off in his final Masters. The German, who won in 1985 and 1993, received a standing ovation.

Odds Check (Via FanDuel)

• Scottie Scheffler: +600
• Xander Schauffele: +1800
• Bryson DeChambeau: +1800

Weather & Conditions

Sunny skies and mild winds favored low scores early, though Augusta’s slick greens tested players. The famed Amen Corner (holes 11–13) awaits the afternoon groups.

Upcoming Featured Groups:

• 1:12 PM BST: Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama
• 1:24 PM BST: Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka

Follow live updates on Mail Sport’s Masters hub.

The iconic 12th hole at Augusta.

Compiled by Jake Fenner, Oliver Holt, and Riath Al-Samarrai at Augusta National.