Im Sung-jae grabs lead on Day 1 of Masters

Im Sung-jae reacts on the 18th green during the first round of the Masters on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Korea's Im Sung-jae took a solo lead at five-under, 67, in the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday.

Im didn't tee off until the early afternoon, with the tournament start delayed slightly in the morning due to thunderstorms over night.

The Korean golfer started strong, hitting three straight birdies on the first three holes and adding another on the seventh to end the front nine hitting 32.

He stumbled a bit at the start of the back nine, hitting back-to-back bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes before rallying with an eagle on the 13th and a birdie on the 15th to put him one shot ahead on 67.

Cameron Smith of Australia, who won the Players Championship last month, trailed in second place at four-under, 68, with four golfers tied on 69.

“Still have three more days to play, and I think with the rain passing, the greens are going to get firmer, the fairways are going to get firmer, so I just have to be prepared to do the same thing I did today,” Im said after finishing his round. “I drove it well most of the holes and it gave me opportunities to have better second shots. I'm glad with how everything went.”

Tiger Woods, who's dramatic return to the tournament following a potentially career-ending car crash on Feb. 23, 2021 has stolen the spotlight this year, shot a one-under 71.

Two other Korean golfers are competing at the Masters. After the first round, Lee Kyoung-hoon is tied for 43rd while Kim Si-woo is tied for 70th.

The second round of the Masters continues on Friday. Im is scheduled to tee off at 9:39 a.m. local time, with Lee teeing off at 11:51 a.m. and Kim at 12:24 p.m. Woods is in one of the final groups, teeing off at 1:41 p.m.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]