Blistering Start Gives Campbell Masters Lead

Augusta: Chad Campbell produced the finest first five holes in Masters history on Thursday and used the momentum provided by that to grab a one-stroke lead in a low-scoring first round. The hefty 34-year-old Texan opened his sixth campaign at Augusta National with five straight birdies and when he got to nine-under through 15 holes, the course record of 63 - held jointly by Nick Price and Greg Norman - looked to be in danger.
But bogeys at the final two holes meant he had to settle for a seven-under 65. That left Campbell one stroke ahead of US Ryder Cup teammates Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan, who had a chance to share the lead but also bogeyed the last after over-hitting his approach shot.
A further stroke back came 50-year-old 1987 winner Larry Mize and Japan’s Shingo Katayama, who broke 70 for the first time at Augusta in his eighth straight year of playing here.
Tournament favourite Tiger Woods meanwhile left his best effort until late in the round with three straight birdies from the 13th to get to three-under with two holes to play. The world No. 1 came into Augusta hot on the heels of his victory at Bay Hill, his 66th career tournament win on the US PGA Tour and first since returning to action in late February following eight months on the sidelines to recover from major surgery on his left knee.
Woods is seeking his fifth Masters title, which would be one short of the Nicklaus record of six green jackets, and his 15th major title, three short of the all-time best of 18, once again the property of Nicklaus.
With perfect playing conditions and benign pin placings, it was also a day for turning back the clock as former winners Mize, 54-year-old Norman and 51-year-old Bernhard Langer all returned to the leaderboard.
Campbell said that never before had he started a round with five straight birdies. “It was hard not to think of the record, but I am definitely happy with the round I played, even though a bit disappointed with the way I finished,” he said.
“I started perfectly with five birdies and I was swinging it well and could be aggressive. But it’s just the first round and there is a lot of golf to be played yet.”
The 26-year-old Mahan, a top US hope since his amateur days, also had a stunning birdie run with four in a row from the 12th as he enjoyed immensely his third run at the Masters. “I hit it great all day, just missed two shots,” he said.
“There was barely any wind and the pins were very accessible and you could shoot a good round for sure.”
“It was a great day to go out there and be aggressive.”
Furyk, the 2003 US Open champion, has not enjoyed great success in the Masters, where he only has two fourth places in 12 attempts to date.
But after reaching the turn in two-under 34, he parred the three holes comprising Amen Corner and then caught fire from the 14th.
“On the back nine I hit some crisp iron shots quite close and have myself some good birdie opportunities,” he said. “There were some accessible pins out there.
“I’m very pleased with the round as I’ve struggled over the years to get off to a good start in this tournament. I would like to continue to keep the momentum going.”