Sergio García from Castellón, Jon Rahm from Biscay and José María Olazábal from Gipuzkoa, the three Spaniards in the Mastersthe first big of the year that takes place this week on the historic route of Augusta National, they have not managed to go below par on their first day.
“I feel like I played pretty well most of the round. For some reason par fives are costing me on this course. It seems that I can’t get a good result in them, something necessary if you want to finish well here & rdquor ;, he told EFE Garcia, who finished evenamong the top 20 in the standings and five strokes behind the leader, the South Korean Sungjae Im (-5).
The Castellón native, winner of the 2017 edition, continues to feel the same pressure as he hit his first tee shot after 23 Masters. “I keep getting nervous. You keep trying to get it right and it doesn’t matter what you’ve won before. In the end that doesn’t help you with the hits and the bounces & rdquor ;, said García, who has enjoyed the return of the “patrones & rdquor ;, as they call the spectators in Augusta.
“It is night and morning. Augusta without the patterns is not the same. Hearing the roars and applause is very special. It makes everything much more special & rdquor ;, added the golfer from Castellón.
“I have played very well and I have touched four balls with mud. What can I do with it? It’s bad luck and that’s what frustrates me. It is all I can say & rdquor ;, he told EFE a frustrated Jon Rahm, who has finished the first round of his fifth Masters with +2.
“It’s good to hear the mood and the atmosphere. I think there will be a big difference more on Sunday than on Thursday & rdquor ;, added on a positive note the current number two in world golf, who has finished in the top ten in his last four appearances at the Masters.
For its part, José María Olazábal, winner of two green jackets at Augusta in 1994 and 1999, has felt the injuries and harsh conditions of the field in his thirty-third participation.
“I haven’t really enjoyed my game. I have not played so well and let’s say I expected it & rdquor ;, the 56-year-old two-time champion told EFE, who has given the first blow of the competition and has finished with +5.
“I think they are going to have a tough afternoon. We all know how tough this course is when the wind blows. There will not be many players under par” Olazábal predicted at the end of his round while the afternoon groups with the other two Spaniards took to the field.