US Masters LIVE updates: DeChambeau takes early lead as Aussie young gun races up leaderboard

Jason Day is rocking something a bit left-field out there today.

Never mind the fact he’s just made birdie on the par four 10th to get back to even, Day’s pants have caught the eyes of many viewers.

Baggy. Very baggy. But cool.

After a seven-year association with Nike, Day signed a deal with Malbon in January to wear the brand’s golf apparel.

Sky Sports commentators Paul McGinley and Sir Nick Faldo made the joke earlier today that it seems like Day ordered a pair with a 32-inch waist .. but got sent a 42-inch pair.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the 18th green. Credit: Getty

There’s a bit going on at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday at Augusta.

While Bryson DeChambeau (-7) and Scottie Scheffler (-6) have a handy buffer at the top, there’s a crop of players slightly off the pace giving it a good shake.

There are now three players at -4.

Nicolai Hojgaard has made back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th, while American Max Homa has registered four birdies for an eye-catching opening nine of 32.

Due to poor weather, tee times were delayed today. That means not everyone will finish their round. Broadcasters are saying that players can stay on the course until about 10am AEST and anyone who didn’t finish their round will resume it tomorrow.

Sunset in Georgia is at 8:06pm local time (10:06am AEST).

Tiger? He’s -1 on the 10th hole as we speak.

Leaderboard

Bryson DeChambeau -7 (F)
Scottie Scheffler -6 (F)
Danny Willett -4 (F)
Nicolai Hojgaard -4 (12)
Max Homa -4 (9)
Ryan Fox -3 (F)
Cam Davis (AUS) -3 (16)
Tyrrell Hatton -3 (10)

Sydneysider Cam Davis is, as Min Woo Lee would say, cooking!

He makes two birdies in three holes (13th and 15th) to get himself into equal fourth.

At the par three 16th tee, Davis backs himself and gets some nice roll down the slope for what is a very achievable putt.

He takes par.

Aussie leaderboard

(T5) Cam Davis -3 (16)
(T15) Cam Smith -1 (17)
(T15) Adam Scott -1 (9)
(T43) Jason Day +1 (8)
(T55) Min Woo Lee +2 (F)
89th Jasper Stubbs (amateur) +8 (F)

Cameron Davis of Australia plays a shot from a bunker. Credit: Getty

Scottie Scheffler makes 34 on the front nine before storming home with four birdies in five holes (12th to 16th) to shoot a back nine 32.

It was a bogey-free round of 66 that was mighty impressive given the windy conditions. He’s put himself in an excellent spot for the week ahead.

It’s hard to see anyone going past current leader Bryson DeChambeau (-7) today. Tyrell Hatton (-3 after 9) Max Homa (-3 after 8) are the only real chances of doing so I reckon.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods sneaks a birdie at the par five 8th to go to -1. Hundreds of fans following the superstar’s every move.

And here’s Adam Scott winning the Masters in 2013. Why? No reason in particular. Just a great Aussie moment worth revisiting every year. Watched it on telly in a university dorm in Bathurst. Won’t forget that morning.

Cam Davis, in his second Masters appearance (he finished 46th in 2023), has managed a birdie at the par five 13th to get back to -2. If he can stay there for the next four holes (he picked up a par on 14) he’ll be pretty chuffed with that.

Elsewhere, Cam Smith has birdied the par five 15th to get back under par (-1), while Adam Scott has made seven straight pars to begin his day.

Min Wood Lee is back in the clubhouse after a round of 74 (+2) that featured an eagle, two birdies and six bogeys.

Jason Day (+2), who is paired with Tiger Woods (even par), has a bogey and a double bogey to his name after seven holes.

Aussie leaderboard

(T6) Cam Davis -2 (14)
(T18) Cam Smith -1 (16)
(T32) Adam Scott E (7)
(T58) Jason Day +2 (7)
(T58) Min Woo Lee +2 (F)
Last place: Jasper Stubbs (amateur) +8 (F)

This is a news update on Today about 25 minutes ago with some clips of today’s action so far.

Also, nice of Pádraig Harrington to let us know what he and his dog are up to this morning.

Here we go.

Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, has drained a birdie at the par five 15th (his eagle putt just missed left) to go to -5. He’s now just two shots off Bryson DeChambeau after back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th. This is his fifth Masters appearance. He looks on.

And there we go. Scheffler adds another birdie to his tally on the famous par three 16th. He knocks his approach shot (middle pin) to under a metre. Glorious stuff there.

Leaderboard

Bryson DeChambeau -7 (F)
Scottie Scheffler -6 (16)
Danny Willett -4 (F)
Ryan Fox -3 (F)
Will Zalatoris -3 (17)
Matt Fitzpatrick -3 (16)
Matthieu Pavon -3 (7)

Scottie Scheffler of the United States speaks with his caddie. Credit: Getty

It’s been a reasonable start for the Australians at Augusta in their opening rounds but they’re dropping shots left, right and centre at the moment.

Cam Davis, who made his way to -3, has recorded back-to-back bogeys on the 10th and 11th. He’s now the only Aussie under par (-1).

Cam Smith and Adam Scott are at even par, while Jason Day is +1.

Spare a thought for amateur Jasper Stubbs whose round of 80 is the worst of the day. He went double bogey, double bogey, bogey, bogey to finish his maiden Masters round. Stubbs won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne in October and will need something super special tomorrow if he’s to avoid the cut.