Augusta’s Larry Mize shoots lowest Masters score since 2009

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Larry Mize hits from the third tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament on Thursday. The Augusta native shot 70, his best round at Augusta National since 2009. [Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports]

Larry Mize birdied three of his first four holes and then peered at a leaderboard. The manual operator of the white structure pulled open a slot and inserted the name of the 1987 Masters champion.

“I did happen to see that,” Mize said. “It's always fun to see your name up on the leaderboard here. I'd like to be there more often.”

After bogeying the opening hole, Mize birdied Nos. 2, 3 and 4 to momentarily hold the outright lead at the 84th Masters Tournament. The Augusta native eventually cooled, missing par putts at Nos. 7, 9 and 11 to close with an opening round 70.

“The greens were a little softer this year and that makes it easier for me,” Mize said. “I gave myself some good birdie putts and was able to capitalize on six of them. That’s key. I've got to keep making birdies.”

Mize said the lone missing aspect was not having his three children and friends in attendance. Mize was granted one family pass and chose his wife, Bonnie.

- Round 1 Photos

“It would have been fun to make those six birdies in front of family and friends, but hopefully some of them were following online and enjoyed that,” Mize said.

Thursday marked the first time in 11 years that Mize broke par at Augusta National. Mize, who resides in Columbus, Ga., credited his short-iron play for sparking his six birdies. The 62-year-old hit wedge into No. 2 for birdie and a 9-iron into the third hole for the same result.

“I've been working really hard on my wedge game because I know I've got to hit wedges close to score,” Mize said. “Four of my birdies were with clubs I've really been working on controlling the distance. That's what I've got to do to score well. That's a big part of it.”

Mize teed off at 7:22 a.m. Thursday, but following his opening tee shot, the weather horn sounded. Mize said he embraced the delay, and used the time to chat with Bonnie.

“I got to sit with my wife for a little while,” he said. “Which is always fun.”

Mize is scheduled to begin his second round at 11:27 a.m. alongside Andrew Landry and amateur Lukas Michel. Mize is vying to make the cut for the first time since 2017.