South Korea's Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae struggled in the opening round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Kim posted a three-over 75 to tie for 48th, while Im carded a four-over 76 to tie for 56th.
Kim Si-woo, ranked No. 28 in the world, recorded two birdies against three bogeys and a double bogey on the first hole. He missed five fairways and hit only half of the greens in regulation. In his ninth Masters appearance and first since 2024, his best finish is a tie for 12th in 2021. He had broken 70 just once in his previous 16 rounds there.
Im Sung-jae, world No. 71, made his seventh straight Masters start but managed no birdies, with two bogeys and a double bogey. He missed just two fairways but hit only 10 of 18 greens in regulation. He tied for second in 2020, the best by a South Korean, and tied for fifth in 2025 after shooting under par in all four rounds.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy shares the lead at five-under with Sam Burns. McIlroy seeks back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. Patrick Reed, the 2018 winner, is among those tied for third at three-under.