Rose Wants To Be Last Man Standing

Briton leads 1st round for record fifth time with three-shot edge as McIlroy suffers late stumble

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AUGUSTA - Justin Rose said he has played well enough to win the Masters, but lacks a Green Jacket to show for it, a void the first-round leader intends to fill on April 13.

The Briton grabbed a three-shot lead over a trio who included defending champion Scottie Scheffler on April 10 at Augusta National, where the Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy ran into trouble late.

Rose, twice a runner-up at the year's first Major, needed just 25 putts en route to a seven-under 65 that equalled the Englishman's best start to a Masters.

It is also the fifth time he has had the first-round lead or co-lead at the Masters, surpassing Jack Nicklaus for the most in history.

"It was a really good day's golf on a golf course that was a stern test. I think if you look at the overall leaderboard, not many low scores out there," Rose, 44, told reporters.

"A lot of quality shots, and delighted the way I played. I feel like I've played well enough to win this tournament. I just feel like I don't have the jacket to prove it.

"It's a compliment. I've obviously played a lot of good rounds of golf here... ultimately, you want to be last man standing on Sunday."

World No. 1 Scheffler, who is looking to become the fourth man to retain his Masters crown, was joint-second with 2024 runner-up Ludvig Aberg of Sweden and Canada's Corey Conners.