Defending champion Adam Scott carded a 3-under par 69 to get his Masters defence off to an ideal start on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. The Queenslander is in a three-way tie for second after the opening round. Scott carded five birdies and, at one point, led by two strokes until an Amen corner double-bogey on the 12th hole left him sharing second place with Louis Oosthuizen and Bubba Watson – who shot the only bogey-free opening round. The trio trail American Bill Haas by one. As Scott stood on the tee at the picturesque par-three 12th, he seemed bewildered by the breeze. His concerns were realised when he left his tee shot short of the target and ended up in Rae&aposs creek. After a penalty drop and a reasonable pitch to the green he could not make the six-footer to save bogey. The 33-year-old bounced back with birdie on the 14th from about 12 feet and then parred home, including a nice save on the last from the treacherous bank over the back of the green. “I feel like I am playing really well. I felt I played good enough to shoot in the 60s today so it was good to make that par save at the last,” Scott said. Compatriot Marc Leishman is a stroke behind Scott in a tie for 5th place after a solid opening round 2-under par 70. John Senden, fresh from his victory at the Valspar Championship three weeks ago, carded an even par 72. Matt Jones and Steven Bowditch both recorded 74s while Jason Day struggled to a 3-over par 75. Amateur Oliver Goss finished with a 4-over par 76. AT A GLANCE T2. Adam Scott -3 (69) T5. Marc Leishman -2 (70) T20. John Senden E (72) T42. Steven Bowditch +2 (74) T42. Matt Jones +2 (74) T54. Jason Day +3 (75) T67. Oliver Goss (A) +4 (76)
Author: Golf Australia