World top players Kaymer and Westwood struggle

Neither of the top two players in the world could shoot under par in the first round of the Masters.

World number two, Lee Westwood, had a 72, which included four birdies and four bogeys, with desperately annoying dropped shots at the 1st and last holes.

“My game didn’t feel right today,” he said afterwards. “If you can’t hole it out from four feet, you’re going to struggle, aren’t you?”

And Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who is the world number one, had an horrendous 6-over-par 78. “It was a very difficult day,” said Kaymer. “I was disappointed, because some golf courses suit you, and others just don’t. It’s very frustrating because this is obviously a huge tournament, but the golf course doesn’t really suit my eye. I don’t really know how to play this golf course. Maybe I’ve got to sit down with Bernhard Langer and ask him for some advice. He won twice here and so he can only give me good advice.”

Meanwhile, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson find themselves six shots off the lead, both shooting 1-under-par 71’s. “I hit beautiful putts all day,” said Tiger, “and they were just skirting the hole, so hopefully they will start going in. My round probably should have been a 68 or 69. I would rather be where Rory is, but hey, there is a long way to go. We have a long grind ahead of us. The temperature is supposed to warm up, and I’m sure they will start making the pins a little more difficult as the week goes on.”