Rose, Immelman lead Masters; Tiger four strokes back

Justin Rose opened with a 68 yesterday at Augusta National Golf Club to share the first round lead at the Masters with Trevor Immelman. Failing to card a birdie all day, Tiger Woods finished with an even-par 72. Defending champion Zach Johnson shot 70, and two-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson carded a 71 …

Woods didn’t appear concerned about his slow start: “I played a lot better than what my score indicates,” he told reporters. “I kept myself in the tournament. I’m right there.”

Meanwhile, Fred Couples’ opening round 76 might send him packing before the weekend at the Masters for the first time in his career. Couples has made 23 consecutive cuts at the Masters, a record he shares with Gary Player. He’s currently tied for 65th though, and only the top 44 and ties and players within 10 strokes of the leader make the cut …

At the Corona Championship, local favorite Lorena Ochoa shot a 7-under 66 yesterday for a piece of the lead with Song-Hee Kim of South Korea. Ochoa, coming off a win at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, eagled the fifth and eighth holes …

Las Vegas National golf course will give you a taste of the history of Sin City, Mike Bailey writes at LasVegasGolf.com.