Schultz’s observations

1. An amateur's reality check. Alan Dunbar won a free pass to the Masters with a win in the British Amateur championship, and last week he sank a 12-foot birdie putt to win the Georgia Cup over U.S. Amateur champ Steven Fox at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta. So it's safe to assume he was kinda psyched for this week. Now he may work hard to forget it. Dunbar was a mind-boggling 10 over par through only eight holes (seven bogeys, one triple-bogey). He seemingly was on his way to Masters record-book infamy, but shot a mere 1 over in the next 10 holes and finished at plus-11. He still gets to play one more round. So will Augusta National at least give him a participation trophy?

2. Tiger looks good. Notwithstanding his three-putt on No. 14 that resulted in a bogey, Tiger Woods did nothing in his opening round to douse status as tournament favorite. Woods birdied three holes and shot a solid 2-under 70. He's just four shots off the lead. Woods did nothing spectacular, but endured some slower-than-normal greens and swirling winds at Amen Corner. Consistency pays off at Augusta National, and few know this course better than Woods. He's still the guy to beat here.

3. Old guys (don't rule). The Masters gives a lifetime pass to its former champions. OK, that's kind of cool. But days like this make the tradition look silly. Among those near the bottom of the field: Ben Crenshaw (92nd, 9 over), Ian Woosnam (91st, 8 over), Craig Stadler (T-88th, 7 over) and Tom Watson (T-88th, 7 over). None came close to the 106 that Billy Casper shot in his final Masters in 2005. (That would be the Masters record if Casper hadn't withdrawn, thereby making it unofficial.) But all were sufficiently ugly.