US Masters / Steven Rawlings / 10 April 2009 /

It was a frustrating first day for Steve, who watched Lefty produce one of his off-days while all around the scores were low.

My main pick, Phil Mickelson, drifted alarmingly before he'd even started and I topped up even more, but a first hole bogey set the tone for his round. He did make up for it with birdies at holes two and five and mercifully I had the sense to lay a load back, so in effect all I've done is increase the price I've backed him at.

It was a good job I had because he went from being average to poor and onto disappointing and I was starting to get fed up with the event before the TV coverage even started.

Chad Campbell, who I've backed the last three weeks, dropped two shots on the last two holes but still holds the lead on seven under. He made a bit of history in the process too, making five consecutive birdies to start his round - the best starting sequence in the tournament's history.

As midnight approached, frustration built to a crescendo with the combination of ignoring Chad, not boarding the Woods bus as it started to roll, and having to listen to Sam Torrance's inane ramblings. I've never heard such drivel, the man says beautiful and magnificent an awful lot, and not a lot else.

But mercifully Torrance was finally rested and Woods finished poorly, missing birdie putts on 16 and 17 and bogeying the last. After his tee-shot on 16 it had looked a certainty that he would end the hoodoo and finally break 70 on day one, but it wasn't to be.

A word of warning though, on the three previous occasions that he's shot 70 on day one he's gone on to win.

So not the greatest of starts for me this year, Lefty finished the day on one over and looks a long way back, while my only other pick, Zach Johnson, shot two under. I've not done anything else yet but suspect today may be busier.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: