Augusta (United States) (AFP)

Author of an eagle who relaunched him after a bad start, the Englishman Justin Rose was then irresistible (-7) to take control of the Augusta Masters on Thursday, the favorites already pointing away from him after a first round that did damage.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson?

Struggling with a +2.

Justin Thomas, his runner-up in the world ranking, and Collin Morikawa, 4th?

Hardly better with +1.

Jon Rahm, 3rd in the world?

Just in par with 0. Bryson DeChambeau (N.5) and Rory McIlroy (N.11)?

Dropped with +4.

To say that these top guys had a tough day on Augusta's firm and dashing course is an understatement.

For some, they will even have to seriously recover on Friday, otherwise they will not pass the cut.

With a card of 65, Rose is himself, after only 18 of the 72 holes to go, a serious contender for the green jacket.

Winner of the US Open 2013, he is four steps ahead of a duo composed of the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, like him author of an eagle on the N.8, and the American Brian Harman.

The 40-year-old Englishman first committed two bogeys to N.1 and N.7, before this eagle symbolizing his sudden flight.

He then did no less than seven birdies on the last ten holes, his lowest score in 59 rounds played at the Masters.

- "Bitter taste" -

“The start was slow, but the experience worked in my favor. I knew it would be a tough day here, but also that if I could stay close to the par it would be a good day. And do an eagle to the N .8 was huge, ”commented the one who finished 2nd in the Masters in 2015 and 2017.

“Even though I don't have an arm in the jacket yet, I feel like I've been there to see what it is,” Rose said.

Of those who can boast of having already endorsed it, the American Patrick Reed (7th in the world), winner of the 2018 event, is the closest in the standings, sharing 4th place with five strokes, with his compatriots Webb Simpson , winner of the US Open 2012, and Will Zalatoris, as well as the South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Jordan Spieth, winner in 2015 is also in ambush (-1) leading a quint of competitors to 8th place.

As for the big favorite, Dustin Johnson (31st), who had flown over the debates in November during the previous edition, he was laborious from start to finish, like this putt of about 60 cm missed at the synonymous 18th hole. double bogey at the worst time.

"The conditions were very difficult. The greens are always a challenge here, but so was the wind. There were gusts, it was quite difficult. I still feel like I played pretty well. But the last hole left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, "he reacted.

- McIlroy touches his father -

Justin Thomas finished better than he had started, his two birdies slightly offsetting three bogeys conceded in the first part of the course.

He shares 20th place with ten other golfers including Collin Morikawa, the last winner of the USPGA.

Rory McIlroy, who dreams of adding this Major to his record, made his worst start at Augusta (76).

And to top it all off, one of his failed approaches on the N.7 accidentally hit the leg of ... his father Gerry, though not serious.

In 60th place (+4), he rubs shoulders with Bryson DeChambeau, winner of the last US Open 2020, and Spaniard Sergio Garcia, crowned in Augusta in 2017, who compared his day to a boxing match.

“I feel like I'm stepping out of the ring after 12 rounds with Evander Holyfield,” he said.

His compatriot Jon Rahm, who arrived in Augusta on Wednesday after the birth of his first child on Sunday, also experienced this day as "a battle" although having limited the damage (13th, 0).

"There wasn't a single moment where I felt relaxed. Everyone struggled."

Including Victor Perez, the only French representative this year, who almost came out of it KO with seven bogeys and only one birdie at the end (75th, +6).

© 2021 AFP