Tiger Woods starts Masters with 70


blackrican23

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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods never has been much of a fast starter at Augusta National, and that trend continued Thursday during the opening round of the 77th Masters.

Woods, a four-time champion, shot 2-under-par 70, a score he has posted on four previous occasions during the opening round. Of course, he went on to win three of those times. But on a day in which conditions were not overly difficult, there was a feeling Woods left a few strokes on the course.

When he finished, he trailed Australia's Marc Leishman by four strokes. Leishman made four straight birdies on the back nine on the way to a 6-under 66.

Woods said he was "very satisfied" with his play following the round.

England's David Lynn, playing in his first Masters and just his third major championship, shot 68. Jim Furyk was among those who shot 69.

Woods is playing in the Masters for the 19th time and only once has he broken 70 in the first round. That came in 2010, the year he made his season debut at the Masters and eventually tied for fourth.

Despite a solid start, Woods was unable to crack the 70 barrier again Thursday. A bogey at the 14th, followed by a disappointing par at the 15th were the main reasons for failing to get into the 60s.

Woods clearly was not happy with his second shot to the par-5 15th after a huge drive set up what should have been a good eagle chance. But Woods couldn't get up and down, and played the par-5s in 2 under.

That's better than last year, when he managed to play par-5s in just 1 under -- and never birdied any on the back nine. He tied for 40th last year, his worst finish as a pro at the Masters.

Woods failed to give himself good birdie opportunities early in his round at the second and third holes when he had a wedge for approach shots. In fact, he missed the third green and had to navigate a tricky third to save par.

He made his first birdie of the day at the par-3 6th, added another at the par-5 8th, then played Amen Corner in 1 under by birdieing the 13th, having knocked his approach on the green and setting up a long two-putt.

Woods pulled his approach to the 14th, and three-putted for his first bogey of the tournament. And then he was disgusted with himself when missing the 15th green after a perfect drive.

He came into the tournament on a roll, having won his past two starts at the WGC-Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational, where in both events he exhibited some of the best putting of his career.

That pushed him back to No. 1 in the world, with plenty of expectations coming to the Masters, where he has not won since 2005.

"Obviously, I'm not real happy with the fact that I haven't won more," Woods said prior to the tournament. "I've been in the mix and I just haven't gotten it done. But the whole idea is to give myself opportunities."

 

http://espn.go.com/golf/masters13/story/_/id/9161172/2013-masters-tiger-woods-shoots-70-first-round

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