Masters 2021 scores: Defending champion Dustin Johnson posts first over-par round at Augusta since 2018

Five months after winning his first green jacket at the 2020 Masters, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson returned to the hallowed turf of Augusta National on Thursday and turned in a 2-over 74 as he begins the defense of his championship. Johnson snapped a streak of 11 consecutive under-par rounds at Augusta as he sits five strokes off the clubhouse lead on Friday.

The same course that had paved the way for Johnson’s historic victory in November made things far more challenging for him from the start as he began his quest for a repeat. He started his day with a bogey and ended it with a double bogey to bookend a bumpy afternoon.

“The conditions were very difficult. The course is really firm and fast,” he said on ESPN after the round. “I felt like I played pretty well, although the last hole will leave a little sour taste in my mouth. But overall, it was a pretty good day. I felt like we hit a lot of good shots and was rolling well.” Patter.”

In November, Johnson began his week with a 7-under 65 and ultimately finished with the lowest score in Masters history. On Thursday, it was clear that the strong winds and firm greenery were going to be much less forgiving. So after having four bogeys in his Masters win throughout November, he finished Round 1 with three bogeys and a double on his scorecard.

“The greens are always challenging here but the wind was very difficult,” he said. “It was fast; it was going very fast. It was hard to predict.”

There were signs of her life on the second nine as she rallied with two birdies in her first four holes. The highlight came on the par-4 11th when he holed out past the green. But after a birdie at No. 13, he finished under par for the first time all day, with a bogey at 16 and a double at 18.

Johnson is looking to join illustrious company in his bid to repeat as only Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus have visited the Masters back-to-back. A win this week would make him the first player to win consecutive major titles on the PGA Tour since Jordan Spieth did so in 2015.