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Aussie pair Smith, Lee off to solid start at 2025 Masters

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Cameron Smith’s putter did the heavy lifting on day one of the 2025 Masters Tournament, keeping the Aussie star in the mix with a one-under 71 despite a scrappy ball-striking display.

Hitting just six greens in regulation and finding only eight of 14 fairways, the 2022 Open champion leaned heavily on his world-class short game — especially the flat stick — to salvage a round that could have easily slipped away.

“Putting seems unreal at the moment,” Smith said.

“Today I definitely got the most out of my round, which is a good way to start.”

A long-range birdie on the 18th capped off a grind-it-out opening round in a familiar Masters script for Smith, who scrapped to a top-10 finish last year under similar circumstances.

It was his fifth top-10 in the last seven years at Augusta, and while history shows only Tiger Woods has won from outside the top 10 after the first round in the past two decades, Smith isn’t ruling out an aggressive push — despite warnings from compatriot Jason Day.

Jason Day, who opened with a blemish-free 70, believes caution remains the smarter approach heading into the weekend. He’s currently priced at $51 with BetOnline.

“I just struggle to think anyone can shoot a low one — although it has been done,” he said.

The Masters is notoriously unforgiving, but Smith’s confidence on the greens has him thinking bold.

“It gives you the confidence to go at some pins… do stuff you wouldn’t normally do and be aggressive,” he said.

Smith wasn’t the only Aussie in red numbers, with Min Woo Lee continuing his strong form following a win in Houston to also card a 71.

England’s Justin Rose leads the way at seven-under, setting a high bar as winds are forecast to pick up heading into Friday.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler ($3.00) is just three shots off the pace after Day 1, sitting alongside Ludvig Aberg ($7.00) and Corey Conners ($19.00). Bryson DeChambeau ($8.50) and Tyrrell Hatton ($26) are one stroke further back, according to online bookmakers.

For Smith, the key will be improving tee-to-green without losing the touch that made Thursday’s score possible.

Smith and Lee are both currently priced at $67 with BetOnline to claim the green jacket on Sunday following an impressive opening round.

“If I’m going to win this thing, I definitely need to do better than that,” he admitted.

“But golf is such a weird game.”

The Masters 2025 leaderboard – Day 1

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