A double at the 12th cost Adam Scott the lead after the opening round of the 78th US Masters at Augusta.
The defending champion found water, the only blemish on his card in a solid start. Interestingly, Scott’s successful Masters campaign last year kick-started with a 69, followed by 72, 69, 69 for 9-under and the play-off with Angel Cabrera.
Is that an omen?
It was surprising that the scoring wasn’t better overnight in what were benign conditions at Augusta National. The course was in pristine condition as you would expect, but it seemed as though the pace of the greens confused most of the field.
As a result, the average score at the end of the day was 2.5 over par 72.
Bill Haas is the first round leader with a 4-under 68, the first time he has ever led a major in 18 starts.
Scott shares second with South African Louis Oosterhuizen, and the 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson who was spectacular tee to green, but he continually shaved the hole with his putts.
Bubba could have shot anything, he was the most impressive on the day.
There’s little colour in Oosterhuizen’s strokeplay, but he’s a ferocious competitor like most South Africans and there’s little doubt he’ll be in contention come Sunday.
But there will be quite a few heavies who will already be thinking about missing the cut.
Luke Donald, Trevor Immelman, and Tim Clark carded 7-over 79s, Cabrera, Zach Johnson, and Tom Watson had 78s, Dustin Johnson and YE Yang 77s, while Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, and Ian Poulter really struggled for their 76s.
Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer, and Mark O’Meara are not out of the woods either, and will need to improve on their 75s.
Jason Day was the only disappointment of the seven-strong Aussie contingent. He’s never a whinger, but it seemed pretty obvious he’s still being troubled by an injury to his glove hand, and he never looked comfortable, nor happy, in carding a 75.
The ever-reliable Marc Leishman shot a 2-under 70, and John Senden an even par 72. Never underestimate what these two can do, they are quiet achievers, and can mix it with the best.
The latest two Aussies to win on the USPGA tour for the first time – Steve Bowditch, and Matr Jones – are on 2-over 74, with Aussie amateur Oliver Goss posting a 4-over 76.
The forecast is for perfect weather on all four days, so you’d expect the scoring to be much better tonight.
Phil Mickelson and co will attest to that.
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