DeChambeau claims early lead after opening round at Masters, Canada's Conners tied in 9th

The third iteration of Bryson DeChambeau might be the most daunting at the Masters.

Once the mad scientist, then the incredible bulk, DeChambeau has entered what he called simply the "golf phase," and it was enough to carry him to a 7-under 65 in a relentless wind Thursday for a one-shot lead over the same old Scottie Scheffler.

The first round could not be completed because of a 2 1/2-hour delay from overnight rain that drenched Augusta National, leaving the greens softer than they have been all week. The test came from a steady 20 mph wind, with gusts twice that strong.

Among those still on the course was Tiger Woods, who was 1-under par through 13 holes when it was too dark to continue. He next faces 23 holes Friday, an endurance test for his battered legs, as he tries to set the Masters record by making his 25th consecutive cut.

WATCH | Corey Connors headlines Canadian cohort at the Masters

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., was the best Canadian, tied for ninth with a 2-under 70 after the opening round. Mike Weird of Brights Grove, Ont., was 2 over, Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., was 3 over and Nick Taylor, also of Abbotsford, finished his round at 5 over.

Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark, one of 17 newcomers to the Masters, was at 5 under with three holes to play. Max Homa was at 4 under through 13 holes.

DeChambeau had his lowest start ever in a major, a clinical performance of power and putting, always a good recipe at Augusta National.

He ran off five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine, including a two-putt birdie on the par-5 15th when his risky shot under a pine tree cleared the water fronting the green and left him 40 feet away.

"It clipped the tree. I hit four pine needles rather than five, and it