As Thursday woke, we knew that the Fates had conspired to eliminate the favorite from the field. Even though Dustin Johnson had yet to officially withdraw from the 2017 Masters, where he should have been (the Par-3 contest) and where he was (tumbling down a staircase) could only have been arranged by the unpredictable. We did learn at least five things on Day 1 of the tournament.

1. Augusta National showed its teeth on Thursday

Sometimes the southern belle steals strokes all at once, as she did with Jordan Spieth’s nine at the par-five 15th. At other times, the pace is agonizingly slow, as Thomas Pieters learned over the entire back nine. No one, from the competitors to the patrons to the announcers, knows who will suffer her wrath, but it will certainly come.

In Spieth’s case, that he only hit one ball in the water is the incredible thing. The 2015 champion did the unforgivable, leaving a wedge third on the lower portion of the green and spinning. Back into the pond it went. With his fifth, the Texan assured himself of being long enough, but he went too long and was fortunate to not visit the H2O again with his sixth shot from over the green. Three putts later, Spieth had climbed from even par to 4-over par, and was facing a sizable mountain on his way to a second Green Jacket.

As for Pieters, he and first-round leader Charley Hoffman could have combined for a mighty low ringer score. The Belgian Ryder Cup star was out in 4-under, and got to 5-under with a birdie on the 10th hole. As though a wind had extinguished a candle, Pieters proceeded to make two doubles and three bogeys (with only one birdie, on the par-3 16th hole) over his final eight holes, to drop to even par on the day.

2. Despite the conditions, there were opportunities 

Hoffman knows this, as does Lee Westwood. Hoffman began the day 1-over par through five holes, then ran the table on the next 13, making eight birdies to earn the Day 1 crystal with an unexpected 65. Westwood continues his search for the elusive major title, and while he has experienced success at Augusta National before, he must not have expected the five consecutive birdies that brought him from 3-over par to 2-under on the inward half. Realistically, Westwood’s 2-under 70 is the number that golfers are watching. Hoffman most likely won’t advance this lead, and may back up toward the pack before the weekend. The same can be said for William McGirt, who currently occupies second spot at 3-under.

Related: Charley Hoffman WITB 2017

Watch @WilliamMcGirt's first round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gPOuSwPDle

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017

3. The veterans know how to spell patience

Matt Kuchar began the day with three consecutive bogeys. The Georgia resident, having enjoyed a fond friendship with Augusta National since his low-amateur days, knew that nothing was etched in stone at that juncture. Bit by bit, he chipped away at his deficit. After nine consecutive pars, Kuchar made the first of three birdies that would ultimately bring him back to even on the day, precisely within striking distance of the lead.

Sergio Garcia, in search of a first major of his own, made precisely one birdie on the day. Such a tally would not usually leave anyone smiling, but Sergio was. Seventeen pars went along with that birdie, and the Spaniard found himself inside the top five, with yet another chance at either a Green Jacket or heartbreak. But that’s why they play!

4. The tournament is in good hands

Despite the unexpected misfortune that befell Dustin Johnson, and the anticipated withdrawal of Tiger Woods last week, a healthy dose of marquee players lies close to the lead. Major champions Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Jason Dufner are at 1-under, while Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy find themselves at even par. The ageless Fred Couples is only 1-over, and others wishing to join the major-championship club lie in wait. If you want to keep your eyes on one golfer, consider Paul Casey. Even par on the day, the Englishman was one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour during the second half of 2016. Given his past flirtations with the top spot at Augusta, perhaps this more-mature Casey might have what it takes to add to his wardrobe on Sunday afternoon.

Watch @Paul_Casey chip in for birdie from behind No. 14 green. #themasters pic.twitter.com/NWF9n9SNIG

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017

5. Anything but wind

The breezes died down partway through the day, and the golfers rejoiced. On Thursday, it was the morning wave that suffered the effects of the zephyrs that passed through the corridors of Augusta National (look at the flags above the scoreboard in the video below). Putts were pushed sideways, or a few feet beyond their intended range. Tee shots moved toward trees with abandon, and wedge shots hit far too short on putting surfaces, spinning back into bunkers and other hazards. Unlike an Open Championship course, where the ground game can replace the aerial one, Augusta National is a high-flight course, and few opportunities arise to cheat the wind. If the winds reverse course on Friday and wait until the afternoon to blow, one half of the field will likely be eliminated, unfortunate victims of the vagaries of Mother Nature.

Enjoy more highlights from the play so far in the first round of #themasters. pic.twitter.com/n6SouTskAv

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2017