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Masters social round-up: Johnson's dramatic withdrawal, Hoffman charges ahead

Dustin Johnson at Augusta

The Masters is notorious for its drama, tension and moments of magic.

But the most dramatic moment of the opening round came when world number one Dustin Johnson succumbed to a back injury after a fall on the stairs on Wednesday and withdrew when standing on the first tee following a 'will he won't he play?' saga that ran through the day.

However, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have thus far failed to fully capitalise with the former enjoying another Augusta moment to forget with a nine at the par-five 15th.

The day belonged to Charley Hoffman, who holed nine birdies in a seven-under 65 to take a four-shot lead. Here we detail the first round at the Masters via social media.

 

Inclement weather caused the cancellation of the traditional par-three contest on Wednesday, but there was no lasting damage to the Augusta course.

An emotional tribute was paid to the late, great Palmer - who died last September - as fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player teed off with the ceremonial honorary start.

Thomas Pieters contended with the difficult windy conditions to set the early Augusta pace and paid his own tribute to Palmer.

All the stories were coming away from the course, though, as the situation regarding Johnson's injury rumbled on. The PGA Tour teased that he would take to the tee…

But, after initially announcing he would play and walking over to the tee, the world's best golfer had to call it a day.

However, it was another star's absence that was being most keenly felt by Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Out on the course, there were plenty moments of magic.

But some others to forget... like Spieth's moment of madness at 15.

Even the pros not at Augusta felt for those out on the course in difficult, windy conditions.

But Hoffman endured no such difficulties, with eight birdies on his final 13 holes seeing him open up a first-round lead.

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