AUGUSTA, Ga. — The last time Paul Casey played in the Masters, 19 months ago, he opened the tournament with a 9-over 81 en route to missing the cut.
On Thursday, the 43-year-old Englishman shrugged off a morning weather delay of nearly three hours and stormed to the first-round lead at Augusta National with a 7-under 65.
With the first round to be completed Friday because of the 2-hour, 45-minute delay from 7:35 a.m. to 10:20 a.m., Casey held a two-shot lead over Webb Simpson, Xander Shauffele and Justin Thomas (who finished 10 holes) and a three-shot lead over a block of eight players, including Tiger Woods, Patrick Reed and Matthew Wolff (who finished 11 holes).
Fifty of the 92 players in the field were under par, including those who didn’t finish. Thirty-three players were 2-under or better.
With the 16-shot swing from the first round of the 2019 Masters to Thursday, Casey unofficially wins the “most improved’’ award, which comes with no trophy or crystal.
“It was a great round,’’ Casey said. “It was just very, very solid golf. I did the right things when I needed to, and to be honest … it could have been two or three better. It kind of felt that way. I don’t want to be greedy. I’m very, very happy with my 65.’’
Asked what, other than 16 shots, was different about this year, Casey said, “I have no idea. Just rubbish. I played some decent golf in 2019 overall, just not the first round of the Masters. I don’t know why it was rubbish. I’m not blaming anybody. I take full responsibility. It was rubbish.’’
Casey, during the COVID-19 period, has been transparent about how much he dislikes playing with no fans. This week, though, he changed his attitude — even though the Masters is going on without patrons.
“This is something I’ve looked forward to,’’ Casey said. “I was vocal earlier in the year at Harding Park about not enjoying golf in a pandemic. I’m acutely aware I’m in a very fortuitous position. I still get to be a professional golfer and play championship golf, but I didn’t know how the fan-less experience would be. And so far, I’ve not enjoyed it. I’ve had nothing or very little to draw from being out playing tournament golf.
“The Masters, though, this week, it still has a buzz to it. There’s an energy and a little bit of a vibe. I guess the history of this championship, this tournament. This is a treat. There’s many great golfers who are not here this week because they are not high enough in the rankings or how they didn’t qualify, and they are envious of every single player in the field. So, for me, it’s not lost on me. I’m excited to be here.’’
On Thursday, he played like it.
