LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau used a sizzling burst of late birdies to muscle into a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler on Thursday as Spaniard Jon Rahm’s Masters title defence got off to a shaky start.
After a storm delayed the start of the year’s first major by 2-1/2 hours, 2020 US Open champion DeChambeau thrived in the softened but windy conditions and mixed eight birdies with one bogey for a seven-under-par 65.
Due to the late start, there were 27 golfers who had yet to finish their opening rounds before play was suspended due to darkness, including Masters debutant Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark who was two shots back of DeChambeau with three holes to play.
DeChambeau, who raised eyebrows in 2020 when he said the par-72 Augusta National layout for him played more like a par-67, enjoyed a fast start as he opened with three consecutive birdie putts, none longer than six feet.
The only blemish on DeChambeau’s card came at the par-four ninth where he three-putted from 70 feet but he went on to scorch the back nine with five birdies over a hot six-hole stretch that he capped with a 31-foot birdie putt at the 17th.
“I have a level of respect for this golf course that’s a little bit different than a couple years ago, and clearly today was a great test of golf, and I was able to conquer a very difficult golf course,” said DeChambeau, who is one of 13 LIV Golf players in the field.
“Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistakes, and that was definitely one.”
World number one and pre-tournament favourite Scheffler, playing in a high-profile group with Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, also rode a late birdie blitz to card a bogey-free six-under-par 66.
Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, was two under through 11 holes but caught fire with four birdies over his next five to pull within a shot of DeChambeau.
“I did a good job of staying patient today,” said Scheffler. “We kept the golf course in front of us. And, I mean, I executed some really nice up-and-downs to keep the round going.”
McIlroy, who missed the cut in last year’s Masters and is making his 10th attempt at completing a career Grand Slam of golf’s four majors, opened with a 71 while world number five Schauffele carded a 72.
COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED
Sitting in the clubhouse alone in third place was 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett, who is making his first start since undergoing shoulder surgery in September and only decided on Sunday that he would play this week.
The 36-year-old Englishman reached the turn at three under but two bogeys over his next five holes knocked him out of contention until he birdied three of the final four holes.
“I think I might take the next six months off,” Willett joked after his opening 68. “No, it’s completely unexpected. Sometimes that happens, whatever. You make a couple of birdies and your mind starts thinking, all right, I can do it.”
LIV Golf’s Rahm, bidding to become the fourth golfer to successfully defend his Masters crown, launched his title defence with a one-over-par 73.
Rahm reached the turn riding high after two consecutive birdies moved him to two under but he endured a shaky back nine that included four bogeys.
“It’s a difficult golf course. That’s all I can say,” said Rahm. “It’s not easy. You’re not really having the luxury out there of being able to miss shots, especially tee shots. Unfortunately, on that back nine I missed a few too many shots.”
The delayed start to the first round means the day’s late starters, including five-times champion Tiger Woods, 2023 runner-up Brooks Koepka and former winner Dustin Johnson, are unlikely to finish their first rounds on Thursday.
Woods, who is seeking a Masters tournament record 24th consecutive made cut but was one under par through 13 holes.
The 15-times major champion, playing in only his second tournament of 2024 due to nagging injuries, will return early on Friday to complete his opening round and will then have a short turnaround before the second round.
If you’re driving around Abu Dhabi this weekend, you might want to plan, because several key roads are set to close.
The Run for the Nation 5km race is taking over Wahat Al Karama this Saturday, bringing together the community for a morning of fitness and fun.
But it also means temporary traffic disruptions you should know about.
Here’s what’s happening Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, the event kicks off at 8am, and it’s completely free to join.
To keep runners safe, road closures will be in place from 5am to 10am around the area. There are additional lane closures on E20 due to ongoing infrastructure works:
• Right lane towards Abu Dhabi closed from April 17 (2pm)- April 20 (5am) • Entry & exit from Al Fursan Street closed from April 18-April 19
Expect delays around Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20).
What should motorists do • Leave earlier than usual • Follow diversion signs • Avoid the area if possible during peak hours
While traffic may slow things down, the event is all about community, fitness, and bringing people together, a big win for Abu Dhabi’s active lifestyle push.
So whether you’re running or just commuting, be ready, plan smart, and stay moving.
What started as a struggling fight night in Dubai turned into one of the city’s most talked-about sports events, and it’s all thanks to Tristan Hamm.
At a time when live events were taking a hit, this Canadian boxer and social media personality stepped up with his “Spirit of Dubai” initiative, completely changing the game.
From 98 per cent refunds to a packed arena The event was on the brink of cancellation after nearly all tickets were refunded, leaving the venue almost empty.
But Hamm wasn’t having it.
He went all in, leveraging social media, personal outreach, and community connections to bring people back.
The result? • More than 1,400 attendees • Over 400 influencers and business leaders • A buzzing, high-energy fight night atmosphere
The $200,000 move that changed everything In a bold move, Hamm donated $200,000 in tickets to UAE residents, giving many their first-ever live boxing experience.
Within just 2 weeks, the event flipped from near-cancelled to completely sold out.
Then came the knockout The fight night delivered serious action with multiple KOs, but the highlight? Hamm’s own explosive knockout win, which has now gone mega viral with over 500 million views on Instagram
More than just a fight night With nearly 2 million followers, Hamm turned this into a global moment—showcasing Dubai’s energy, community spirit, and ability to bounce back.
His words summed it up perfectly: “Dubai didn’t need saving. It needed people to show up.”
This wasn’t just about boxing, it became a symbol of: • Community power
• Resilience during uncertainty
• The comeback of Dubai’s live events scene
From empty seats to a viral global success, the “Spirit of Dubai” proves one thing: when people come together, the city comes alive.
Football fans in Dubai could be in for a big night this weekend as Cristiano Ronaldo and his Riyadh-based club, Al Nassr, prepare to take on Al Wasl in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two quarter-finals.
The match will be played at Zabeel Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm. The fixture was earlier postponed by the Asian Football Confederation and is now finally set to take place.
Back from injury
The main question on everyone’s mind is whether Ronaldo will feature. The Portuguese star has recently returned from injury and is in good form, scoring three goals in his last two matches. However, he has played only once in this competition so far, with the club managing his workload and focusing on the Saudi Pro League title race.
There are signs that this could change. With Ronaldo regaining fitness and the season entering a crucial phase, this match could offer him a chance to build rhythm and match sharpness. While his participation is not confirmed, fans remain hopeful.
Even if Ronaldo does not play, the match still promises top-level action. Players like João Felix and Sadio Mane are expected to feature, bringing quality and experience to the pitch.
Officials say the game is likely to draw a strong crowd, with or without Ronaldo. For Dubai, it is set to be a major football evening.
