The Masters: Sungjae Im sets early pace

Sungjae Im was the early front-runner as the 2022 Masters got under way at Augusta.

The Korean’s 67 put him at the top of the leaderboard after round one, with Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson a shot back.

It meant the top three on Thursday was a repeat of the top three from the 2020 tournament.

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“I have great memories of 2020 and to finish runner-up was great,” the leader told Sky Sports.

“I still remember that feeling and it gives me confidence that I can finish strong.”

Danny Willett, the 2016 champion who has not had his troubles to seek in the six years since, was a surprise package on three-under, along with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Joaquin Niemann.

Danny Willett, the 2016 champion who has not had his troubles to seek in the six years since, was a surprise package on three-under, along with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Joaquin Niemann.

But the big story of the day was the return of Tiger Woods, who finished on one-under for his first competitive round in 508 days.

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Will Zalatoris, who burst onto the scene so impressively at last year’s Masters, is among those nicely placed, as is popular debutant Harry Higgs.

As for the Scots, Robert MacIntyre should make it to the weekend barring a disaster on Friday – but Sandy Lyle is unlikely to figure beyond round two after finishing on ten-over for the day.

The second round gets under way at 1pm UK time on Friday.