Rose was a home hero, Donaldson was back in form, an amateur made the most of his chances and we were inches from aces on day one of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
Here is everything you need to know from Thursday in the UK.
Resurgent Rose delights home fans
Justin Rose delighted the home crowds with an opening 65 that handed him a one-shot lead. With big crowds gathered at the storied setting of The Belfry, the Englishman dropped just a single shot in getting to seven under to lead the way from fellow Briton Jamie Donaldson. Rose claimed his first worldwide win in four years in February on the PGA TOUR and was happy to bring that good form back across the Atlantic. "I think I have a clear sort of blueprint with what I'm working on and can build momentum behind it," he said. "I actually think that's probably the best, cleanest round of golf I've played in a long, long time, probably even this year, as well as I have been playing."
Donaldson enjoying home comforts
Donaldson birdied his final four holes to card his lowest round of the season as his comeback on the DP World Tour gained more momentum. He did not play at all in April and May and missed his first two cuts on his return but after making the weekend last week in Munich, his big finish moved the 2014 Ryder Cup hero to six under. "I'm only an hour and ten minutes from home, so it's great to play on British soil," said the Welshman. "I love it. I've always enjoyed playing on British soil because it's what you're used to, isn't it? It's what you've grown up with and what you're used to. Great coming here and playing at The Belfry."
Beware the injured golfer
Yannik Paul made light of minimal practice and low expectations to put himself in the mix on day one. The German withdrew from the BMW International Open on home soil last week with a back injury and was a doubt to compete at The Belfry, rating his chances at 30% as recently as Tuesday. But after undergoing treatment and receiving medication, Paul improved physically and despite missing the Pro-Am on Wednesday, carded an opening 68. "Sometimes when the expectations aren’t as high, your acceptance if you hit bad shots is better," said Paul. "I am obviously really pleased with my round. I flew here on Tuesday morning, thinking I’d have a 30% chance that I could tee it up."
Amateur Gough grabs his chance
Amateur John Gough was delighted to make the most of his opportunity as he carded an opening 68. The 24-year-old invite is playing just his second DP World Tour event as he approaches the end of a highly successful career in the unpaid ranks which has seen him claim four wins since leaving the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2021. He looks set to go professional after the Walker Cup in September and clearly enjoys showing his skills on the big stage. "It's very important to be able to take the chances because there are thousands of fantastic golfers out in the world and they are all dying for spots," he said. "Whether it be pros or amateurs, they are all dying for starts and potential chances to showcase themselves, so I feel like for not only for yourself but for the rest of the great golfers out there, you need to take your chances when you can."
Chase the ace
After having three holes-in-one in back-to-back events, we nearly had another two in the midlands. Nicolai von Dellingshausen was one roll from an ace at the 14th.
And Ross Fisher hit this beauty on the same hole.
Anything you can do............
Marcel Siem and Romain Langasque got involved in a bit if a driving contest on the short par-four tenth. And we loved it.
