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Masters Day 1: Tiger Woods shows form

What have we learned from Day 1 of The Masters at Augusta? Well, golf writer Shane Ryan joined Na...



Videos

Masters Day 1: Tiger Woods shows form

What have we learned from Day 1 of The Masters at Augusta?

Well, golf writer Shane Ryan joined Nathan Murphy to answer that very question.

Thus far, Tiger Woods has made a strong start. The 14-time major winner is in contention early and needless to say his fortunes are being keenly followed.

"Familiarity is important at Augusta and this is probably the most likely if Tiger's ever going to win another major, it's going to be this one," said Ryan.

"Even in his darkest days"

"And he's probably going to have his best days early on. Which isn't to say that he couldn't also play great on the weekend and actually contend.

"But if you said, 'When is Tiger going to be near the leaderboard and at what major?' It would be Thursday at Augusta. But again, this is a place where even in his darkest days, he competed and he contended.

"So it's not only knowing the course but that he likes the course. He always liked the course. He didn't know the course in 1997 and he did pretty well that year too. So it could be Tiger's year for sure. I wouldn't bet on it, but it could be."

Ryan also added that Tiger is a "formidable front-runner" but not as effective when clawing back a deficit.

He also touched on Rory McIlroy who is trying to complete the career Grand Slam. The Northern Irish golfer is 1-over after Day 1.

"I think Augusta is just a really, really tough ask for Rory," said Ryan.

"It doesn't mean he'll never win it. But the pressure that comes every single year - everybody's always talking about Rory no matter what's happening in the rest of his play.

"And this year, he's won the Players Championship so people are rightfully saying he's the favourite. But in a lot of ways, that can just add to the pressure and you probably don't need to add much. Rory knows that this is the last one he needs to complete the career Grand Slam. He knows that as great as he is, to fulfil that legacy, you need to win a Masters."

Watch the full Day 1 review above via our YouTube channel. You can check out the leaderboard right here. You can also check out John Duggan's tips for the tournament right here.

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