US Masters / Steven Rawlings / 04 April 2010 /

The Punter takes a look at day one at Augusta, and puts forward a couple of names that could just get off to a flyer...

Has there ever been a more eagerly awaited first days' play at any golfing event? I'm not sure there has. Unless you live in a concreted box buried deep on Mars you'll know that not only does Thursday herald the start of the US Masters, the first major of 2010, but it's also sees the comeback of the world's most renowned naughty boy, a certain Mr Woods.

It's anyone's guess how Tiger's going to hold up to the inevitable media distractions, and so really is how he's going to play. The word is that he's flying in practice but tournament play's a whole different ball game. In the past his first round record has been poor - incredibly he has never broken 70 at Augusta, which is a real handicap, as a fast start is very important.

Given that, you'd expect a few wire-to-wire winners wouldn't you? Interestingly, we have very nearly had two in a row. Trevor Immelman led from start to finish in 2008 and last year's first round leader, Chad Campbell, made it to the play-off before bogeying the first play-off hole, leaving Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera to fight it out. But prior to that, the last wire-to-wire winner was Ben Crenshaw, way back in 1984.

As for whom to actually back to lead on day one, well I'm looking at two Americans making just their second appearances at Augusta.

Anthony Kim's clearly in form and he's a player that very often gets off to a fast start, though he didn't here last year, opening up with a 75. His second round however was a magnificent 65 and if he replicates that on Thursday someone will have to go some to head in.

Ricky Barnes made his Masters debut back in 2003 when he opened up with a 69 to lie second after day one. He also got off to a flyer in last year's US Open and may well be a value outsider worth a small interest.

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