AUGUSTA, April 8: Britain's Justin Rose set the early pace in the U.S. Masters first round on Thursday, reeling off three birdies in the first 10 holes.
The 23-year-old, playing in the opening major of the year for the second time, started in dramatic fashion, holing a 30-foot birdie putt at the difficult 435-yard first.
He then picked up further shots at the par-five second and the 460-yard ninth to lie one clear of the morning starters in overcast and damp conditions at Augusta National. American Chris DiMarco, one of Rose's playing partners, was tied for second at two under with twice champion Ben Crenshaw, after nine holes, and 50-year-old Jay Haas, after four.
Of the other early starters, seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie, after five holes, and former world number two Phil Mickelson, after three, were at one under.
World number one Tiger Woods, bidding for a third Masters title in four years, was set to tee off at 1330 local time (1730 GMT), along with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and 2003 U.S. amateur runner-up Casey Wittenberg in the penultimate group of the day.
Woods, winner in 1997, 2001 and 2002, is chasing his first major victory since the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Champion Mike Weir, who became the first left-hander to win a major in 40 years at Augusta last April, will tee off a group ahead of Woods at 1319 (1719).
Drawn with Weir are 1997 British Open champion Justin Leonard and Australia's Nick Flanagan, who edged out Wittenberg at the 37th hole for last year's U.S. amateur title.
The 2004 Masters promises to be one of the most open in recent memory, with the focus on whether Woods can break a barren run of failing to win in his last six major tournaments and on how much his rivals have closed the gap.
Established challengers such as Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Mickelson and Davis Love III have been in superb form in recent months while Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Britain's Darren Clarke are also likely to shine.
Much is also expected of Australia's Adam Scott and American Chad Campbell over the fast-running Augusta National layout, which was baked by eight days of unbroken sunshine before Thursday's intermittent drizzle.
Four-time winner Arnold Palmer is certain to provide the week's most nostalgic moment in his 50th and final U.S. Masters. He was one over par after five holes. -Reuters
