Masters 2019: Bitesize Stats Guide – Round 1

Round 1 of the 2019 Masters Tournament is in the books.

Here’s your handy guide to some of the standout stats and facts that you might have missed…

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• The four easiest holes on the course in the 2018 Masters proved to be the easiest once again in round one this year – all four par-5s. The most straightforward of them all? The 13th. It played almost a half-stroke under par, yielding four eagles and 41 birdies, offset by five birdies, one double and one worse. 

– The toughest hole on the course was the 18th. There were only five birdies, 28 bogeys and four doubles. 

• “Everything’s so artificial!” – Player blasts modern game

– Dustin Johnson recorded the longest drive in the opening round: a 349-yard whopper on the 15th. 

– Rory McIlroy led the field in average driving distance (324.2 yards) but was T70 in driving accuracy after hitting only seven of his 14 fairways. 

• Jack expects controversial Augusta rule to change

– Nine players will be receiving some new crystal after having eagles in round one: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Corey Conners, Billy Horschel, Patton Kizzire, Matt Kuchar, Keith Mitchell, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson and Matt Wallace.

– When he (briefly) moved in a tie for the lead, it was the first time that Tiger Woods had been top of The Masters leaderboard in 5,115 days, since his most recent victory in 2005. 

• English punter bets BIG on Rory winning Masters

– Ian Poulter led the field in GIR, hitting 16 out of 18. Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Corey Conners as well as Thorbjorn Olesen and Marc Leishman, all hit 15. 

– The last 13 Masters champions were all inside the top ten after the first round. If that trend continues, this year’s winner will be one of the following: Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Kevin Kisner, Kiradech Aphibarnrat or Justin Harding.