THE BUZZ
Amen Corner, that stretch of holes from the second shot at the 11th, all of the 12th, and the first two shots at the 13th hole, is where Masters dream go to die, and it was particularly tough on the first day.
Adam Scott, the defending champion, took a double-bogey five on No. 12 but stayed in touch with an otherwise solid round.
“The greens are as firm and fast as I’ve seen for a Thursday,” Brandt Snedeker said. “It’s only going to get faster and firmer through out the course of the week.
“The wind changed 15 times today. So I watched Jamie (Donaldson) hit before me, he hit a pretty 8-iron into 12, and I hit one almost into Augusta Country Club, 30 yards over the green. So I got no clue.
“It’s just playing tough. This golf course is right on the edge, it’s in perfect shape, and they got it exactly how they want it. The pin positions today were brutal. This was not one getable pin really out there where you felt like you can make a birdie and get it going. You had to hit some quality golf shots to make birdies.”
SHOT OF THE DAY
Sang-Moon Bae of China clipped a lengthy chip perfectly on 15, saw it bounce just onto the back of the green, and then watched it curl into the hole for an eagle in a round of 72.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 Times that 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson has played bogey-free in 81 rounds of major tournaments, including the first round Thursday.
TWITTERATI
Did you know Lee Westwood has gone 63 starts without achieving a victory at a major tournament, more than anybody in the field? #Masters — BBC Sport @BBCSport
ABOUT TIGER
Odds for when Tiger Woods will win his next major, according to MyTopSportsbooks.com:
2014; U.S. Open; 8/1
2014; British Open; 12/1
2014; PGA; 13/1
2015; Masters; 20/1
HE SAID IT
“Our kids grow up way too quick, and our legends, they grow old far too quick.” — Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo on honorary starters Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player
THE CHAMP SAID
“It was a thrill, really. The reception into every green and almost every tee box was incredible, and the best one, the memory that will stick with me forever today was walking up to the 12th tee and everyone getting out of their seats as I approached there. It was great. The level of respect that everyone has for this golf tournament and what happens here, but then I went and hit it in the water.” — Adam Scott on fan reaction
IF YOU GO
Friday forecast: High of 79. Wind will be its highest of the week at 11-12 mph out of the southwest. Scores could rise.
About the Author
