Augusta (United States) (AFP)

Defending champion Tiger Woods and world No.2 Jon Rahm got off to a good start behind provisional leader Paul Casey at the Augusta Masters on Thursday on a first day whose kick-off was delayed by thunderstorms .

For the first time in 84 editions, the prestigious Grand Slam tournament in April has been postponed to November due to the Covid-19 pandemic, closing the 2019-2020 financial year, while that of 2020-2021 has already started .

But whatever the season, spring or fall, Woods, in search of a 6th title in Augusta to match Jack Nicklaus, clearly keeps his good marks there.

Author of four birdies, he returned a card of 68, equaling his best score from last year on a first round in this tournament, to finish 4th in the company of South African Louis Oosthuizen, Englishman Lee Westwood and of the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, in the peloton of the first entries.

Woods, suddenly beaten by his compatriots Webb Simpson and Xander Sc Chaudele in 2nd place, is three lengths behind leader Paul Casey, who remains in 2nd place in the last PGA Championship, his best Grand Slam ranking.

The 43-year-old Englishman was outstanding on his first lap, with a successful eagle on the second hole and five birdies for a total of -7 (65).

"I haven't really played great golf since the pandemic set in. I'm so excited and happy to be here, I've worked a lot to play well on this course and it paid off," said congratulated the one who will be difficult to overtake for the competitors of the next group, in which are notably the world No.1 Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa.

Another contender, Jon Rahm also started his tournament well, finishing with a total of -3 (69) in provisional 8th place.

A third bogey on his penultimate hole, after an eagle and four birdies, prevented him from hitching the Woods wagon.

As for Bryson DeChambeau, winner of the last US Open, he also had a roller coaster day.

But his two birdies on the last holes allowed him to finish in ambush with -2 (70) in 11th place, notably erasing a double bogey committed on the 13th.

© 2020 AFP