Day one digest: 2020 Masters Tournament

Everything you need to know from the weather affected first day at Augusta National Golf Club.

England’s Paul Casey turned on the style, inclement weather delayed play and Tiger Woods made an ominous start to his title defence as the 2020 Masters Tournament finally got under way.

Here is everything you need to know from the weather affected first day at Augusta National Golf Club.

Masters finally gets under way... and then the weather hits

After a seven month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the eagerly anticipated 84th Masters began on Thursday, with former champions Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus both hitting a tee shot in their role as honorary starters. But it wasn't long before play was called to a halt, with only 25 minutes of action possible before play was suspended due to inclement weather...

But after a delay of two hours and 45 minutes, the weather improved drastically and the early starters enjoyed favourable playing conditions. They took full advantage, with birdies flying in across the course throughout the day until the daylight ran out with more than 40 players still to finish their first rounds.

Casey gets off to a flying start

Casey has made 13 previous appearances at the Masters and used every ounce of his experience to put together a spotless 65 on Thursday. That represents a 16 shot improvement on his opening round last year. Starting from the tenth tee, the Englishman made four birdies on his front nine before making an eagle and a further birdie coming down the stretch to get to seven under par and open up a two shot lead. Casey is still looking for his first Major title, could it be his turn this week?

Woods keeps the bogeys off his card

Defending champion Woods created a piece of personal history with an impressive opening 68. Woods carded four birdies and no bogeys - the first time in 23 attempts that he has kept a clean card in the opening round of a tournament he memorably won for the fifth time last year.

Reed pulls off shot of the day

Race to Dubai pacesetter Patrick Reed had a mixed opening day, carding eight birdies and four bogeys in his 68. The former champion finished the round with a moment of absolute brilliance, though. Having started at the tenth tee, Reed's closing hole was the ninth, and he found himself among the trees after sending his tee shot right. But he recovered in style, knocking his approach to two feet for a tap-in birdie to finish the day on four under par.

Westwood's front nine masterclass

Like Casey, Lee Westwood knows all about Augusta National and he was making it look easy on Thursday morning. Getting his round under way shortly after play had restarted following the weather delay, Westwood moved into the red numbers with close range birdies at the second and third. The 25 time European Tour winner almost holed his approach at the fifth for an eagle but the ball stayed above ground and he had to settle for a tap-in birdie. Westwood got into tree trouble off the seventh tee but was able to lift his second shot onto the green and make a two putt par. The former World Number One closed his front nine with back to back birdies, rolling in from nine feet at the eighth before repeating the trick from five feet at the ninth to move to five under. But he could not build on his fine start on the back nine, making eight pars and a bogey to head into the clubhouse on four under. He said: "Any time you shoot 68 in the first round of a Major Championship you're pleased with that, and you've played yourself right into contention. I was happy with the way I played and adapted well to the conditions."