Notebook: First group on course fares well in opening round

AUGUSTA -- Ross Fisher, Sean O’Hair and Jonathan Byrd got an early start to their day Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

The threesome was the first group off in the first round of the Masters, opening its round at 7:45 a.m.

But the early start didn’t seem to bother the three players. Fisher finished with a 3-under-par 69, while O’Hair fired a 2-under 70. Byrd was the only one who really struggled, finishing at 1-over 73.

“I loved it,” O’Hair said of the early tee time. “I loved having the fresh greens, and it felt like you owned the whole place.”

O’Hair had five birdies while Fisher had six, including five on the front nine.

“I started with three layers (of clothes), and look at me, I’ve got only one now,” Fisher said of playing so early. “It was great. You never want to see the tee time at 7:45, but once you’re up here, you’re the first guys out on the course, so you get the best of the greens.”

The threesome teed off right after ceremonial starters Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

“Obviously, it was a special treat for the three of us to see two legends like Arnie and Jack get it under way,” Fisher said. “That was pretty special to be here and witness that.”

No. 1 for how long?

Martin Kaymer took over the No. 1 ranking earlier this year, but he didn’t look like the top-ranked player in the world in the first round.

Kaymer had six bogeys and a double-bogey on his way to a 78.

“For me, it was very difficult,” Kaymer said. “Every day that I played here was a tough day so far. So yeah, I was disappointed because there are some golf courses that suit you and some that just don’t.”

Kaymer has missed the cut in all three of his previous Masters appearances.

Up-and-down day

Dustin Johnson finished with a 2-over 74, which seems normal enough. But his day was anything but calm.

Johnson had only eight pars in his round, finishing with four birdies and six bogeys. He had two birdies and four bogeys on the front nine and two of each on the back nine.

“I struggled a little bit. I drove it well, just didn’t make any putts,” Johnson said. “Three-putted a few times, and I missed a few short ones, which hurt me pretty bad. It was a little frustrating, just really couldn’t get anything going with the putter.”

Johnson, always known as an aggressive player, said he would have to follow that same game plan Friday.

“I’ve got to shoot a good number (Friday),” Johnson said. “So I’ll come out firing, and we’ll see what happens.”

Close look

Jason Day got a good look at Rory McIlroy’s opening-round 65, playing the first round with McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.

While McIlroy’s round was steady and spectacular, Day’s day was a bit more of an adventure. Day’s round included three bogeys and a double-bogey on No. 11, but he came alive on the back nine with four straight birdies. That string started on the 13th hole.

Making his Masters debut, Day finished with a 72.

“It was a good stretch,” Day said. “And obviously doing it in front of the crowd, especially at (No.) 15 and 16 was pretty special.”

At 23, Day is the oldest player in his group. McIlroy is 21, and Fowler is 22.

“I am the old man in the group,” Day said. “The thing is, it took me forever. Those two guys kept walking as quickly as possible, and I can’t keep up with them, so I was just walking alone.”

This story was originally published April 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Notebook: First group on course fares well in opening round."