What Rafa Nadal shot around Augusta National when given the chance to play from the back tees

Rafa Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, if not the greatest.

However, Nadal’s talents clearly don’t just stretch to tennis – he is a +0.5 handicapper.

The 39-year-old Spaniard won 22 Grand Slams during his tennis career but now he spends most of his free time playing golf.

Rafa Nadal has been lucky enough to play Augusta National on numerous occasions.

So what better time than Masters week to take a look at how he fared when he most recently played the famous golf course?

There have even been rumors that Nadal could receive an invite to play in a professional event at some point, such is his golfing ability.

His pulling power is obviously another reason why that definitely could happen at some point.

What Rafa Nadal shot around Augusta National

Golf journalist Eamon Lynch chatted to Nadal at Augusta National during day one of The Masters on Thursday.

And Lynch shared what the tennis legend told him about the round he played off the back tees at Augusta.

“Chatted with Rafa Nadal by the Augusta National clubhouse,“ Lynch said.

“In prior rounds here, he said he shot even par from the member tees and 80 from the tournament tees.

“Laughed as he recounted driver-5 wood on the 5th & driver-2 iron on 11. I guess he has natural athleticism!“

A round of eight-over par 80 at Augusta National from the back tees is a quite sensational score for a scratch-handicap golfer.

Rafa Nadal followed Rory McIlroy on day one of The Masters

Rory McIlroy is tied for the lead at The Masters after day one at Augusta National.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman was in fine form on Thursday and he looked more comfortable than he has done in quite some time during an opening round of a major championship.

Nadal was out there following McIlroy around Augusta National on day one, and he was quite clearly very keen to get a close-up look at the 2025 Masters champion in action.

Golf writer Ewan Murray took to his X account to share just how eager the Spaniard was to get a glimpse of the man from Holywood, Northern Ireland.

“Rafa Nadal out there following Rory McIlroy.“ Murray said.

“And I mean following… almost knocked me over when rushing to the side of the 11th tee.“