It was a dream start in Augusta for the man in green. In chilly conditions that saw 25 mph winds gusting up to 40 mph, Titleist Brand Ambassador Charley Hoffman (Pro V1) birdied half the holes he faced in Thursday’s opening round, carding an amazing 7-under-par 65 to lead the field by four shots as we head into Day 2 at the 81st Masters.

“For lack of any better words, it was a dream,” Hoffman said. “I mean, anything around par would have been obviously a great, great score. I knew that going into it. Why, how did I separate myself? I got some good numbers. I was just trying to make pars, and while I was trying it make pars, I put myself in position to be able to make birdies. And I was able to convert those birdies and turn it into a fantastic round.”

Hoffman shot his 65 (just two shots shy of the course record) on a day when only one other player in the field broke 70 and only 11 broke par.

Charley Hoffman leads a world-class contingent of Pro V1 and Pro V1x players who are vying for the green jacket. Once again at The Masters, Titleist is the overwhelming golf ball choice, with 62% of the elite field trusting a Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball for their success. That’s more than five times the nearest competitor and more than all competitors combined.

Vokey Design Wedges topped the approach, sand and lob wedge (81) category. Scotty Cameron putters were the top choice in the putter (31) category.

Winds and cool temperatures are expected to continue through the second round, before warmer weather moves in for the weekend. Regardless of what Mother Nature has planned, Hoffman is optimistic and eager to build of his Thursday performance.

“Yeah, I'm going to feed off that the rest of the week,” said Hoffman. “Obviously going to sleep on the lead at a major championship here at Augusta National is not going to be the easiest thing (but) I look forward to it, and I look forward to the challenge the next three days.”

Good luck the rest of the way, Charley, and good luck to all of #Team Titleist!

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FAST FACTS:

• The par 72, 7,435 yard layout at Augusta National Golf Club was designed by Bobby Jones and Allister MacKenzie and the course was built in 63 days. It has never been offically rated, though unofficial ratings have estimated a Course Rating of 78.1 and a Slope Rating of 137.

• There are three dedicated bridges at Augusta National: the Sarazen Bridge at hole No. 15 (to honor Gene Sarazen's double eagle on the hole in the 1935 Masters), the Hogan Bridge leading to the green at No. 12. (to honor Ben Hogan's then-record score of 274 in 1953 and the Nelson Bridge at the tee of No. 3 (to honor Byron Nelson's performance at the 12th and 13th holes during the 1937 Masters.)

• Each hole on the course is named for a plant or shrub, a tribute to the former plant nursery on which Augusta National was built.
  
  
• The first tournament was held in March 22, 1934. Since 1940, the Masters has been scheduled for the first full week in April. In part this decision was made to accommodate sports writers, who each year at that time would be heading back north to cover major league baseball after spring training ended in Florida.

• The green jacket was first awarded to a Masters winner in 1949, when Sam Snead won the tournament. The green jacket that the Masters champion puts on at the awards ceremony is not the actual jacket he will keep. This jacket is owned by the Club and must be returned 12 months later before the next Masters Tournament.

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SOCIAL BUZZ:

The player's badge of Titleist Brand Ambassador Rafa Cabrera Bello.

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The second round is underway. Here are the pin positions:

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A visual of just how well Charley Hoffman played in Round 1.

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A player's vantage point of the 15th hole courtesy of Titleist Brand Ambassador Jimmy Walker.

A classy shot from Titleist Brand Ambassador Jason Dufner:

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For the first time, poor weather forced Masters Officials to cancel the traditional Par 3 competition that kicks off the Tournament. Here's a great memory from Augusta's Par 3 Course:

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What they're all playing for.

Here's to an exciting weekend finish at Augusta!

#TeamTitleist