Golf

A major gone mad

High scores and unexpected leaders set up an unpredictable weekend at Augusta.

By BOB HARIG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 12, 2003

[AP photo] Tiger Woods reacts to a missed attempt at a birdie on the 13th hole during first round play.

The U.S. Amateur champion, a college senior, beat the two-time defending champion by seven shots.

The top three in the world, all long hitters playing a long course, were a combined 16 over par in the first round.

Fifteen players shot their worst score at Augusta, with another six matching it.

The first-round scoring average of 76.2 was the worst since 1990.

It took 2,235 rounds, but the tournament's greatest champion did something he had never done.

The leader, so far, is a left-hander, but not Phil Mickelson. (Well, maybe that's not so odd.)

The first round started a day late, the second won't finish until this morning and the 67th Masters is still mired in muck.

It was a strange day, and Martha Burk and Jesse Jackson hadn't made it to Washington Road yet.

But at least the tournament is well under way.

"This has been a weird, weird tournament," said Ernie Els, who along with Tiger Woods and Davis Love opened a combined 16 over. "It's like anything can happen out there. You can shoot low, or you can shoot high the way the course is playing. If you're off your game just a little, you can shoot 79 like I did."

There is no better example than Woods, who is bidding to become the first player to win three consecutive Masters. You knew it was going to be a different kind of day for the world's No.1-ranked player when he chipped in on his first hole -- for bogey.

Woods shot 76, his worst score at Augusta as a pro. He didn't make a birdie during the round for the first time in any official tournament since the third round of the 1999 British Open. And he finished seven shots behind amateur Ricky Barnes, who is playing in his first Masters.

"If you had told me that, I would have thought I'd be in the lead by seven," Barnes said.

Barnes was one of four players under par. Mike Weir, the left-handed Canadian, led at 6 under through 30 holes. He shot a first-round 70. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, the first-round leader with 66, was 4 under through 28. Mickelson, after opening with 73, played 29 and was four back of Weir, one shot ahead of Barnes.

Woods managed to give himself a chance by playing 10 holes 2 under. That means he was 2 over for the tournament, eight shots back and in a tie for 23rd. He'll resume the second round on the second tee, his 11th hole.

"You don't have to play a great second round to get back in it," Woods said. "You can't push it. This afternoon, I made a couple of putts. That's what I had to do."

The day began in darkness, with players hitting practice balls on the driving range under temporary floodlights. Some 12 hours later, it ended in the dark with 75 players unable to complete the second round. They will resume at 8:20 this morning.

After the second round is completed, the 36-hole cut will be made to the top 44 and ties and anyone within 10 shots of the lead. When the second round resumes, there will be 47 players at 4 over or better. Among those straddling the line are Els (4 over), Retief Goosen (4 over), Love (3 over) and Rocco Mediate (4 over).

Though many players praised the condition of the course, not everybody was pleased with the setup, which included several back tees.

"I'm going to play it safe and not say anything," said Scott Hoch, who couldn't help himself. "Let's just say this makes our (PGA Tour) field staff look smart."

"It's just terrible out there," Nick Price said. "Unplayable, really. They've got the tees set up all the way in the back. It's unbelievable they would do that."

Many players noted how long the course played.

"It was incredible," said Gary Player, 67. "I've never seen it play like this in all the years I've been coming here."

Jack Nicklaus didn't blame the course for his 85, the worst score he has shot in 41 years as a pro.

"I got about what I deserved," he said.

Then there's Weir, weary as the rest. A two-time winner this year on the PGA Tour often overlooked because of Woods, Els and Love, all of whom also have multiple victories, he made eight birdies and two bogeys.

"I knew it was going to be a tough challenge to stay with it mentally on a day like this," he said.

So far, he's managing better than the rest.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright