Chinese amateur Jin Cheng found his love affair with Augusta National sorely tested in Thursday’s first round as he struggled to a seven-over 79.
It was, he said, a very different prospect teeing off for real as opposed to the relaxed atmosphere of the practice rounds where he notably played with golf legend Tom Watson.
“It’s pretty different. Especially on that first tee. I was pretty excited,” the 18-year-old from Beijing said.
With the breezy conditions playing havoc with many of the 89-strong field, Jin got off to a poor start with a double-bogey six at the first.
Not super disappointed, a little disappointed. But I tried my best and I enjoyed the whole 18 holes
But he rebounded well with a fine birdie at the second and reached the turn in 39.
Jin produced a fine birdie at the tough par-four 10th hole, but instead of being able to build on that he double-bogeyed the next hole and then dropped another at the famous par-three 12th.