Masters notebook: Tiger Woods likes his position after first-round 72

From WorldGolf.com News Services

Despite not breaking 70 in first-round play at the Masters for the 12th consecutive time, Tiger Woods said he still likes his position on the leaderboard heading into Friday's second round.

"Yeah, it's good," Woods told reporters after shooting even-par 72, ending Thursday tied for 20th. "I kept myself in the tournament. I'm right there. With the weather supposed to be getting more difficult as the week goes on, I'm right there."

Woods, who is one of just three players to win the Masters four times, is four shots off the pace set by first-round leaders Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman. He remains within striking distance despite failing to make a birdie in a round at Augusta National Golf Club for the first time since the opener of the 2003 Masters.

After opening with 12 consecutive pars, Woods made back-to-back bogeys on holes 13 and 14. He got back to even on No. 15, chipping in for eagle from 25 feet.

"It was a pretty easy little pitch," Woods said. "It was straight uphill. The ball was sitting up. It was pretty soft underneath there and just had to carry it far enough, and it went in."

Other than that, it was a fairly ho-hum day for Woods.

"I didn't really get anything going my way today," he said. "I played a lot better than what my score indicates."

Ian Poulter makes hole-in-one

Ian Poulter had the shot of the day Thursday, recording a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole. He used an 8-iron for the 169-yard shot.

How did it feel?

"Massive - unbelievable buzz," Poulter told reporters. "You've got a few thousand people on the left-hand side and you've probably got a few more this year seeing as they have cleared some of the trees on the left-hand side and put some more spectators there, so it was a special moment.

"There's an instant adrenaline rush. That's probably the biggest adrenaline rush I've had. It was a great buzz."

It was the 19th hole-in-one in Masters history, including the 11th ace at No. 16. It was Poulter's third career hole-in-one as he finished the day tied for sixth place at 2-under-par 70.

Phil Mickelson's early thrill

Two-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson opened with a 1-under 71 and is tied for 12th. However, his first-round standing could've been much worse if not for a miraculous birdie at No. 1.

Standing 60 feet over the back of the first green with his ball resting on pine straw, Mickelson putted back up the slope, slamming his ball into the pin before it dropped in for a birdie - a shot he said produced at least a two- or three-shot swing.

"It hopped a little bit, but it tracked nicely," Mickelson said in his post-round press conference. "(Dave) Pelz would have been proud I left the pin in."

Quick hitters

• Following the ceremonial opening tee shot hit by golf legend Arnold Palmer, the start of play Thursday was delayed one hour due to fog. After the fog cleared, players found near-perfect conditions for the remainder of the day.

• Gary Player set a Masters record by making his 51st appearance, breaking the record he shared with Palmer. Raymond Floyd has the next-longest streak among active players at 44.

• Following a first-round 76, Fred Couples' streak of making 23 consecutive Masters cuts appears to be in jeopardy. The veteran PGA Tour player has never missed the cut in his career at Augusta and shares the record with Player for consecutive cuts.

• It appears another Masters tradition could remain intact as par-3 contest winner Rory Sabbatini started with a 3-over 75 and is tied for 52nd. The winner of the par-3 contest has never won the Masters.

April 11, 2008