Augusta: Tiger-mania swept over the US Masters on Thursday as the year’s first major took on a rock concert vibe with Tiger Woods once again the headline act at Augusta National as first round play got under way.
Giddy golf fans from around the world, some who had paid over $6,000 on ticket resale sites for a four-day badge, lined up before dawn at the Augusta National gates determined to score a prime spot at Amen Corner or the 18th green to watch what is widely expected to be the most hotly contested Masters in years.
Several blockbuster storylines are possible, not least the quest of Woods to defy long odds and collect a fifth Masters title less than a year after undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
Woods may have won the last of his four Green Jackets in 2005 and not claimed a major victory since the 2008 US. Open but the former world No. 1 had the backing of massive galleries with Australian Marc Leishman and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood.
The trio were followed to the tee by another hot favourite, world No. 2 Justin Thomas, and reigning champion Sergio Garcia of Spain.
The crowds were in for a full day of drama, with many of the late starters also expected to mount Masters challenges. Among those are Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who is bidding to complete the career Grand Slam and join Woods, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player in that elite club.
The last group out could also shake up the leader board with world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Englishman Justin Rose, who has been runner-up two of the last three years, bringing the curtain down on Day One.
Masters legends Nicklaus and Player got the 82nd Masters off to a rousing start by hitting the ceremonial tee shot before turning the first tee over to American Austin Cook, who was the first of the field of 87 golfers to tee off.
Cook shrugged off his nerves to hit the first competitive shot.
At precisely 8:30am it was time to hit. He took one practice swing, stepped up and with a large gallery looking on drove down the left side of the fairway.
With the jitters out of the way, the 27-year-old from Arkansas proceeded to hit a nice approach shot and then sank a 15-foot putt dead centre.
Cook is one of nine professionals playing the Masters for the first time.
All are trying to buck history at a tournament that has only once (by Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979) been won by a first-timer since 1935.
It would seem to be more than a coincidence, but Cook is not convinced.
“Spieth almost won as a rookie,” Cook said, referring to Jordan Spieth, who tied for second in his first appearance in 2014, before going one better the following year.
He added that some rookies perhaps place too much importance on the occasion.
“Yes it’s the Masters but in the end it’s just another golf tournament. And you play with these guys all year long,” he said.
“There’s so much history here but you’ve just to keep it in the back of your mind and go out and play.”
Cook made his PGA Tour breakthrough when he won the RSM Classic, also in Georgia, in November, and has followed it up with solid if unspectacular form.
“Everything came easy,” he said of his victory.
“It was just one of those weeks when nothing went wrong. I didn’t miss a single fairway or shot right. And having a one-way miss really is comforting.” He said his form is in good shape heading into the tournament.
“I’ve had great practice rounds here,” he said.
“I’m hitting the ball great and I hope that continues.
