Augusta, Georgia (WFAN)  -- Round one started an hour late due to fog that was so thick in the early morning that it prevented Arnie’s Army from seeing where the honorary starter’s ball dropped after he smacked one on the first tee. An hour later, the fog had dissipated and the players enjoyed mild weather conditions – sunny and warm temperatures.

Tiger shot an even par 72 with two bogies, one eagle on the par five, fifteenth hole and he parred the rest. He says that the golf course is playing more like a US Open course, “so much more difficult now being longer, and it has dried out this week. As the week has gone on, it’s gotten drier and it’s going to get more that way towards Sunday.”

Tiger said he felt good about the way he hit the ball. “I hit a lot of good putts that just didn’t go in. That’s just the way it goes. I’ve just got to stay patient out there and hopefully it’ll turn.”

There is a two way tie for the lead. Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman, both originally from South Africa and now living in England, both shot four-under 68’s. Rose started slow with bogies on the first and fourth holes, then birdied 6, 7, 8 and 9 and 12 and 13.

Immelman birdied 5, 9, 11 and 15. This is the third time Justin Rose has led after the first round. “I think that is the magic about this place,” Rose says, “is that you never tire of it and it can be your 20th year and you drive up Magnolia Lane as if it’s your first time. It’s like, wow, you still get that special feeling and obviously that’s helping me get really fired up to play some good golf.”

Brandt Snedeker and Brian Bateman are one behind at three under. Lee Westwood bogied the 17th, playing as the sun went down. He finished with a three-under 69 as well.

Ironically, Snedeker and Bateman are the two Americans who shot the best scores in round one (3 under 69’s). Bateman, at 35 years of age, is playing in his very first Masters and Snedeker, from Nashville, Tennessee, played here only once before as an amateur in 2004.

Ian Poulter enjoyed the early clubhouse lead at 2 under. His ace on the par three, sixteenth was the shot of the day. He used an 8 iron on the 170 yard hole.

Defending champion Zach Johnson was one of only four players to birdie the first hole (Phil Mickelson, Steve Flesh and David Toms were the other three) and Johnson shot a 2 under 70, joining four others.

Phil Mickelson birdied the first two holes but could not make anything happen on the back except for a birdie on 13. But he bogied the 14 th hole and finished with a 1 under 71.

Fred Couples could not find the magic today, settling for a four over 76.

Gary Player, playing in his 51st Masters, shot an 11-over, 83.


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