By Christopher Powers
Judging by what happened on Day 1 of the 2019 Masters, the rest of the week has a tough act to follow. That said, it is the Masters, so we’re not too worried.

Early on the opening round belonged to Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm, who were playing in the same group and trading blows on Augusta’s back nine. They both go to three under, though a late bogey from Woods saw him finish with a two-under 70, while Rahm was able to post a 69. Two solid rounds, and yet they’ll still both be playing catch up on Friday.

They’re chasing Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who looked as though he might run away with the tournament when he made his sixth birdie of the day and his fourth in a row to reach six under at the 15th. But in front of him DeChambeau was going on a similar tear, as he birdied six of his last seven holes, including one at 16 after a near ace, a chip-in at 17 and another at 18 after almost holing his approach for eagle. There’s being “in the zone” and then there was DeChambeau’s finish on Thursday.

Koepka cooled off on his final few holes, but still managed to make three pars to close out his 66. He and DeChambeau are tied for the lead at six under. One back? Phil Mickelson, who birdied five of his final seven holes to finish with a 67. If you weren’t entertained by the afternoon action, you might want to check your pulse.

At four under are two more big names in Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson. Four others are tied with Rahm at three under, including Kevin Kisner and Adam Scott. Rickie Fowler, Jason Day and Francesco Molinari joined Tiger Woods at two under.