Sam Burns Leads Masters After Dominating Par 5s

The American golfer carded a 5-under 67 to take the early first-round lead at Augusta National.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the Masters golf tournament, with overlapping shapes and planes of green fairways, white bunkers, and silhouetted players in motion, capturing the dynamic energy of the early rounds.A cubist interpretation of the early action at the 90th Masters Tournament, where Sam Burns' mastery of Augusta National's par 5s has given him an early lead.Augusta Today

Sam Burns took advantage of Augusta National's par-5 holes, sinking an eagle putt on the second hole and adding birdies on several other long holes, to post a 5-under 67 and take the early lead after the first round of the 90th Masters Tournament. Patrick Reed also reached 5 under early in his round before faltering, while Kurt Kitayama finished at 3 under despite a double bogey on the 12th hole. Bryson DeChambeau struggled to a 4-over finish after a disastrous triple bogey on the 11th.

Why it matters

Burns' strong play on the par 5s, which historically have been crucial to success at Augusta National, has put him in prime position to contend for his first major championship title. The early leaderboard also features several other top players, setting up an exciting weekend at the Masters.

The details

Burns got his round going with an 11-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second hole. After a bogey on the seventh, he immediately bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 eighth. He also birdied both par-5s on the back nine, as well as the par-3 12th, to post the best round of his Masters career. Patrick Reed reached 5 under through nine holes thanks to eagles on the par-5 second and eighth, but he gave a shot back on No. 10 and put a ball in the water on the 15th for another bogey. Kurt Kitayama was 4 under through 10 holes before a double bogey on the 12th, but he finished with a 69. Bryson DeChambeau's round unraveled with a triple bogey on the 11th hole.

  • On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the first round of the 90th Masters Tournament was played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
  • Sam Burns posted his 5-under 67 early in the day on Thursday.

The players

Sam Burns

An American professional golfer who is currently in his prime and seeking his first major championship victory.

Patrick Reed

The 2018 Masters champion, who got off to a hot start on Thursday before faltering later in his round.

Kurt Kitayama

A professional golfer who had an up-and-down day, reaching 4 under before a double bogey on the 12th hole, but finishing with a 69.

Bryson DeChambeau

A top American player who is seeking to build on his best Masters finish of fifth place last year, but struggled to a 4-over round on Thursday.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think historically people who have success here play the par-5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So, it's a good recipe around this golf course.”

— Sam Burns

What’s next

The players will continue the 2026 Masters Tournament with the second round on Friday, April 10. The cut line will be determined after the second round, with the top players advancing to the weekend rounds.

The takeaway

Sam Burns' strong play on the par 5s at Augusta National has given him an early lead in the Masters, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on the course's longest holes. The leaderboard features several top contenders, setting up an exciting weekend at one of golf's most prestigious majors.