Tiger Woods Poised to Make Masters Golf History
First-Round 70 Puts Him on Usual Pace at Year's First Major Tourney
© Ray Cox
Apr 9, 2009
Nearly 10 months after major knee surgery and two weeks removed from a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational that put him back in the winner's circle, Woods shot a rather pedestrian opening round of 70, 2 under par, on Thursday. It shouldn’t fool anyone. Four times he has won this tournament and three of those times he shot the exact same first-round score of 70.
Severe Weather Forecast on Friday Will Shuffle Leaderboard
Woods is tied for 20th as he looks forward to Friday’s 10:45 a.m. tee time and the day could turn into a lengthy waiting game around the weather for those playing in the afternoon. The forecast calls for thunderstorms, some severe, in the afternoon. His tee time could be fortuitous or could place him in the middle of the brewing storms as he makes the turn into Amen Corner.
Chad Campbell leads after a first-round 65 that could have been even better; he bogeyed the final two holes. Pars on Nos. 17 and 18 would have tied him for the best-ever opening round and a Masters course record. Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan are tied for second after 66s. Other notable hits and misses included former champion Phil Mickelson struggling to a 73, and 50-plus Seniors Greg Norman and Larry Mize reliving their youth. Norman, who is 54, shot a 70, and Mize, now on the Senior tour at age 50, a surprising 67. Mize defeated Norman in a memorable 1987 Masters with a playoff chip and run.
Putting Challenge Woods and Pushes Him Down Leaderboard
It was Woods, as usual, who quickly became the focus in Round 1 as he played in the next-to-last grouping. Missed putts changed his round and pushed him down the leaderboard. Despite hitting 10 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens he was forced to take 30 putts. He missed several makeable putts, chiefly at Nos. 8, 11 and 12, and yet he went to the 18th tee with a chance for his first-ever round in the 60s at August. But a bogey dropped him to a 70.
Previous Victories by Woods at Augusta Serve as Markers
In his record-breaking 1997 victory, Woods struggled to a first-round 70 and then ran away from the field in an eye-popping victory that serves as the first big exclamation point in his professional career. He followed with a 70 in the first round of 2001 and then won the “Tiger Slam”, four consecutive professional majors over two seasons. In 2002, another 70 in the opening 18 holes and yet another victory. Only his 2005 victory was achieved with a terrible first round, a 74, and he fought back to win in a one-hole playoff against Chris DiMarco.
How to Size Up 75th Masters as One for History Books
This is the 75th Masters, a tournament that began as the Augusta National Invitational, and the 60th time a green jacket will be sized to fit the winner. A Woods victory would be his fifth, one behind the legendary Jack Nicklaus for the most in tournament history, and Woods’ 15th career major, three behind Nicklaus. It also would mark Woods’ 67th PGA Tour win, six behind Nicklaus, who is second all-time to Sam Snead.
Well-positioned in the field is Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who may have a say about the writing of this event’s history. He has won consecutive major tournaments, the British Open and the PGA, and a victory here would place him in elite company: Only Ben Hogan and Woods have won three consecutive majors. Harrington shot a solid 3-under 69.
