April 7 (UPI) — Sungjae Im held a one-shot lead after the opening round of the 2022 Masters Tournament Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
The 24-year-old South Korean rattled off three straight birdies at the start of the day, then recovered from a pair of bogeys with a 12-foot eagle putt on the 13th hole. He added a late birdie on the 15th for a 5-under 67.
Im is the first player representing South Korea to maintain a lead after any round in Masters history. His first-round 67 was the highest score to lead after 18 holes at the Masters since 2014.
Im was one shot in front of Cameron Smith, who was playing for the first time since winning The Players Championship in mid-March. The Australian had a double bogey on the first and 18th holes, but he sandwiched eight birdies between his start and finish.
Dustin Johnson, who fended off Im and Smith when he won the Masters in November 2020, was tied for third at 3-under par after the first day. Danny Willett, Joaquin Niemann and Scottie Scheffler also ended the round at 3-under 69.
Tiger Woods carded three birdies and a first-round score of 1-under par.