“The body is fine,” said the five-time Masters winner after the start. But he “can’t be sure” what his physical condition will be in the further rounds. After numerous operations as a result of a serious car accident in February 2021, he feels “really good on some days, not so much on other days.”
Jäger started well, played eight pars and one birdie on the out nine, meaning he was one shot below the course standard at the halfway point of the round. But the debutant couldn’t confirm this on the way back to the clubhouse. Jäger received bogeys on the eleventh, 14th, 15th and 18th holes, and only managed a birdie on the 13th.
The US Masters will take place for the 88th time until Sunday and has prize money of $18 million. The defending champion is the Spaniard Jon Rahm, who started with a mixed round of 73. Jäger qualified for the first major of the year with the surprising victory on Easter Sunday in Houston, Texas.
Jäger is the only German in the field after two-time champion Bernhard Langer, who has lifelong right to compete, is missing after tearing his Achilles tendon in mid-February.