Masters rookie Chris DiMarco has set world number one Tiger Woods a daunting task as he fired a brilliant first round of 65 on the opening day of action at Augusta. Woods is aiming for an unprecedented fourth major title in 12 months this weekend but with the rest of the field, including DiMarco, eager to deny the world number one this historic achievement, it won't be easy.
DiMarco, whose best finish this year so far was tied for 5th at the Phoenix Open, has only won one PGA Tour title in his career - the SEI Pennsylvania Classic last year - but he set the Augusta course alight today with eight birdies to leave him only two shots off the course record. He currently has a one-stroke lead ahead of Steve Stricker and Angel Cabrera. The best-placed European is Miguel Angel Jimenez, who shot a 68 today to leave him at 4-under, three shots of the pace.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington started brightly with two birdies on his first two holes but he suffered bogeys on the third and fourth to fall back to level par. However, he birdied the fifth to bring him back up to 1-under and then parred seven holes in a row, with his excellent short game saving him on a number of occasions. But he bogeyed the 13th - the last hole in Augusta's infamous Amen Corner - to bring him back to level par and had a disappointing back nine, shooting three bogeys on the 14th, 15th and 17th holes to finish up at three over. That leaves him tied for 66th with a lot to do tomorrow to ensure he makes the cut for the weekend. Darren Clarke did somewhat better and after three birdies and three bogeys, he is tied for 34th at level par.
Meanwhile, Byron Nelson, twice Masters champion back in 1937 and 1942, struck the first shot at this year's tournament, as has been the way since he was appointed honorary starter twenty years ago. However, this will be the last time the 89-year-old will appear at the event as he is retiring from the prestigious job. "I want to thank you, the greatest gallery in the world who have supported me all these years," he told the thousands of spectators who turned out to witness his final shot at Augusta.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
