Masters Leaderboard Shakeup As Rising Star Takes Early Lead
Masters Leaderboard Shakeup As Rising Star Takes Early Lead...
A surprising new leader has emerged at the 2026 Masters Tournament, captivating golf fans as the first round concludes at Augusta National. 23-year-old phenom Jake Thompson carded a bogey-free 65 (-7) to take a two-stroke lead over defending champion Scottie Scheffler and three-time Masters winner Jordan Spieth.
The Georgia crowd erupted as Thompson, playing in his first Masters, sank a 30-foot eagle putt on the 15th to cement his lead Friday afternoon. The Oklahoma State product turned professional just last year after winning the NCAA individual championship.
Scheffler remains in strong contention at -5 despite struggling with the treacherous Amen Corner stretch. The world No. 1 told reporters after his round: "Augusta always tests you, but I like where my game's at heading into the weekend."
Tiger Woods made the cut at even par but faces an uphill battle after laboring through back pain during his afternoon round. The five-time champion received standing ovations at every hole but acknowledged "this old body doesn't move like it used to" when speaking with CBS Sports.
Weather could become a factor Saturday with thunderstorms forecast for mid-afternoon. Tournament officials announced they'll move up tee times by 90 minutes to avoid potential disruptions.
The leaderboard shakeup comes during record Masters ticket prices, with Saturday badges selling for over $2,500 on secondary markets. ESPN's early coverage drew 4.2 million viewers - the highest first-round audience since 2018.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed the club will stick with its traditional Sunday pin placements despite the weather concerns. "The Masters doesn't bend to circumstance," Ridley told the media Friday evening.
Fans can follow live scoring on the Masters app or watch CBS's coverage beginning at 3 PM ET Saturday. The tournament winner will take home $3.6 million from the record $20 million purse.
