Norman and Ogilvy start well at Augusta

Greg Norman and Geoff Ogilvy started well in the opening round at the 73rd US Masters on Thursday. Norman, back here for the first time since 2002, gave an early indication he wasn’t content to merely enjoy a lap of honour, moving to one-under after eight holes at Augusta National.

Ogilvy, the best winning chance among the seven Australians, also got out of the blocks nicely on a delightful, sunny spring morning, one-under after seven holes.

And Stuart Appleby joined the Australian challenge, picking up a birdie at the par-five second to join his compatriots at one-under.

Norman, looking resplendent in black clothes and hat, attracted a massive gallery for his 9.50am (11.50pm AEST) tee time.

And he did not disappoint, running in a 22-foot birdie at the par-three sixth that brought a huge roar that rippled through the stately pines.

Two groups later Ogilvy birdied the same hole.

At the previous par-three, however, he hit a poor tee shot at No.4, but left himself under the hole with a relatively easy second shot, which he pitched to tap-in distance.

Fellow Australians Mathew Goggin and Aaron Baddeley were even par early, meaning all five Australians on the course were either under par or even, with Robert Allenby and Adam Scott yet to tee off.

The early leaders were South African Tim Clark and Englishman Ross Fisher, both four-under after 15 holes.

Clark, the Australian Open champion, was only even after seven holes, before picking up four birdies in the next eight holes.