Crushers GC's US player Bryson Dechambeau walks on the fairway of the 14th green on the fourth day of the LIV Golf South Africa tournament at The Club in Steyn City on March 22, 2026. AFP via Getty Images The Masters gets underway on Thursday morning, and one of the most popular betting markets on the board is first-round leader.
With calm early conditions often creating scoring chances at Augusta National, a fast start can cash before the tournament’s real drama even begins.
Here’s a look at who we like to be sitting atop the leaderboard come Friday morning.
Justin Rose is the king of the first round of The Masters.
The Englishman has finished his Thursday round in Augusta atop the leaderboard a record five times.
Last year, Rose was three strokes better than the field after Round 1, firing a 7-under-par 65.
In 2021, he took an even bigger four-shot lead into Friday with another 65.
Rose also pulled it off three times from 2004-08.
Rose has had a weird 2026 season, missing the cut three times (needs update) in seven starts.
But he has turned it on when needed, winning the Farmers Insurance Open in early February and finishing T-13 in The Players Championship.
Justin Rose of England tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 15, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Getty Images Bryson DeChambeau (17/1, FanDuel) Like Rose, Bryson DeChambeau has proven that he likes Thursday at The Masters.
DeChambeau has led after Round 1 twice, in 2024 and 2021.
Last year, he was T-5 after the first round after going three-under.
He’s come roaring out of the gate in each of his last two starts on the LIV Tour, shooting 67 and 63 en route to back-to-back tournament wins.
DeChambeau will be competing against the world’s best golfers for the first time since last July at Royal Portrush during the Open Championship.
Despite few arguing otherwise, DeChambeau will still want to prove he deserves to be talked about among the best.
No better way to show that to be so than a dominant opening round.
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
