2020 MASTERS Casey leads, Woods best ever start, Scott off to a flyer

Just a handful of shots had been played in the 2020 Masters before play was suspended due to incoming torrential rain and thunderstorms.

Augusta National, looking splendid in the unfamiliar autumn colours was drenched in rain with many fairways and greens inundated with water just hours after the interrupted start.

Paul Casey, who is no stranger to good finishes at The Masters looked comfortable after the delay and came firing out of the blocks with a birdie on the always difficult par-4 10th hole.

A bogey-free round of 7-under par was highlighted with an unusual eagle at the par-5 2nd hole to see the Englishman lead the field by two strokes to a trio of Americans; Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson and Justin Thomas.

“I hit a 6-iron to a left-hand pin on No. 2, and you can’t hit that shot in April,” Casey said. “Today, it just pitched and stopped instantly. In April, it would have one-hopped over into the patrons. I probably make five, not three.”

Tiger Woods finished the opening day with his best-ever start to a Masters Tournament, signing off for a 4-under par 68 which sees him three strokes behind Casey.

Woods, who teed off the 10th tee on Thursday, made the turn at 3-under par thanks to birdies at the two par-5s and the par-3 16th hole at Augusta National.

“I just did everything well. The only thing I could say is that I wish I could have made a couple more putts,” Woods said after his round. “Missed everything on the high side. Putts just aren’t moving, so it’s just different with as slow as they are, then with the weather delay, the amount of rain they’ve had.”

Schmaltzy golf highlights alert! Clark Kent, Superman?!

Adam Scott is the best of the Aussies sitting at 4-under par through just 10 holes before darkness forced players from the course.

Scott’s short game looked in great touch requiring just 11 putts in his opening nine.

Marc Leishman and Jason Day finished their rounds at 2-under par, Cameron Smith is at even-par through 10 holes and amateur Lukas Michel closed with a 4-over par 76.