One Golfer Shot 90 At 1st Round Of Masters Thursday

Nick Dunlap began the Masters by reminding everyone that golf is a hard, often cruel sport.

After missing the cut in last year's Masters debut, Dunlap returned to Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. The 21-year-old had a historically disastrous opening round.

Dunlap ended Thursday in last place with a 90, 18 over par. None of the other 95 golfers scored an 80 or worse.

As noted by Ben Nuckols of the Associated Press, Dunlap became the first golfer aged under 38 to score a 90 at the Masters. It's the worst Masters round since the 63-year-old Ben Crenshaw shot a 91 ten years ago.

Nuckols wrote that Dunlap handed in his scoreboard with "eyes bloodshot and his face ashen." He didn't speak to reporters after the rough day.

Robert MacIntyre, who shot 3-over on Thursday, commended the young competitor for persevering through a nightmarish start. 

"I've played with him a few times this year, and what a great player, what a great guy," MacIntyre said. "He was struggling out there today, (but) his attitude was solid. He didn't get in the way. He didn't lay off anything that was going to affect his two other playing partners because we've got a job to do. I feel for him today, but he’ll come back."