By Will Pearson, europeantour.com
at Augusta National
Following an enthralling start to proceedings at iconic Augusta National, europeantour.com picked out six talking points from the opening round of the 2015 Masters Tournament.
1. Tom Watson owns a time machine
We’re not sure if Tom Watson hit 88 miles per hour down Magnolia Lane this morning but the legendary American certainly turned back the clocks during an opening round of 71, becoming the oldest player to ever break par at the Masters. At 65 years, seven months and five days old today, Watson relieved the record from Sam Snead, who was 61 years, ten months and 18 days when he shot 71 in the third and fourth rounds of the 1974 Masters. "At my age, it's a minor miracle," quipped the ever-genial Watson.
2. Age is just a number
In something of a variation on a theme, it is worth noting that early leader Jordan Spieth, a tender 21 years young, was just 254 days old when fellow first-round challenger Ernie Els was making his Masters debut in 1994. Els, meanwhile, was 174 days old when the aforementioned Tom Watson made his Augusta bow back in 1970. Looking well down the line, Spieth would be the second youngest winner in Masters history, while Els would become the second oldest. Golf!
3. Kevin Streelman doesn't believe in the Par 3 Contest curse
After besting Colombia's Camilo Villegas in a play-off to win the annual Masters Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, with 13 year old cancer sufferer Ethan Couch on his bag, Kevin Streelman didn't seem overly concerned about the so-called Par 3 Contest curse. As is well documented, no player has ever won the fun-filled tradition and then gone on to win the Masters proper in the same year. "This wasn't about me," Streelman reflected yesterday evening. "It was about helping him out and showing him a great day and seeing if we could make another birdie and win it - and we did." The Illinois native was similarly bullish in his performance in the first round, making three birdies and dropping just one shot en route to an opening 70 - good enough for a tie for 12th and leaving Streelman well placed to have a run at vanquishing the 54-year curse.
4. Rory McIlroy had his Weetabix this morning
Think World Number One and Grand Slam hunter Rory McIlroy was pumped up to get his 2015 Masters bid under way? You bet he was. The 25 year old Northern Irishman pummelled his opening drive 327 yards down the fairway at the first hole, Tea Olive, and with it recorded the longest drive of the day.
5. Tiger Woods has re-found his short game
Despite struggling at times during a first-round 73, former World Number One and four-time Masters winner Tiger Woods showed the world he has put his recent troubles in and around the greens well and truly behind him. Woods got up and down four holes out of five from the tenth to keep himself in the mix. "That will breed confidence," said 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
6. And finally...FORE! Patrons beware.
Golf can sometimes be a dangerous spectator sport. This lady patron, perched in prime location just behind the ropes at the back of the second green, had something of a surprise when Thomas Bjorn's ball came to rest in her lap on Thursday at Augusta. Another patron, unlucky or lucky depending on how you see it,received a special momento after being struck by Geoff Ogilvy’s ball.
