Leishman holds Masters cause, Woods in the mixture

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) a' So much for local information at the Masters. Marc Leishman had played two full rounds at Augusta National. He was the first choice on Day 1. David Lynn had never played in the very first major of the year. He was two pictures straight back. With all eyes on Padraig Harrington, two unheralded participants claimed the most truly effective places on the leaderboard Thursday. Leishman shot a 6-under 66 and increased to leading with four right birdies on the rear part beginning at No. 13. Perhaps not bad, thinking about the Australian had missed the cut in his only other Masters appearance in 2010. He was rarely on a roll coming into Augusta, having missed the cut in his two previous competitions on the PGA Tour. Lynn, an Englishman, revealed his runner-up finish in last year's PGA Championship was no fluke. Under gray skies with a chance of rain, he birdied four of five holes across the turn and explained in a 15-foot putt at the ultimate gap to truly save par. He barely looked like a Masters rookie. "It is about playing the percentages," he explained. "When I was on the ninth, I considered my caddie and said, 'We are leading the Masters.' He just looked over me and smiled. I told him, 'I had rather be leading it Sunday afternoon.' But it isn't a negative thing to see your title up there leading the Masters. That's always some thing I could look straight back on." Jamie Donaldson made in the photo of the day, acing the 180-yard sixth for the 24th hole-in-one in Masters history. He is only the sixth player to make a 1 at the gap known as Juniper, having its magnificent tee box and a green at the base of the mountain. Donaldson was the first ever to get it done since Chris DiMarco in 2004. Needless to say, it is only Thursday. Woods was the overwhelming favorite entering the tournament, and that's not changed. Even with a at a brief birdie putt and the 14th that slid by the pit on No. 15, he was at 2 under with two holes to play. Woods has recently won three times in 2013 and reclaimed his No. 1 area on earth rankings. But he's not taken an important since 2008, and since he stated his fourth natural hat at Augusta it's been nine long years. He's still four majors afraid of tying Jack Nicklaus' report 18 championships a' a tag that becomes a little more complicated everytime the 37-year-old Woods fails to get certainly one of golf's largest events. Maybe this is the week he breaks the longest major-less drought of his profession. "I feel more comfortable with every part of my game," Woods said beforehand. "I think that I have improved and I have gotten more regular, and I believe the wins show that." Lynn is feeling good about the way things are getting, too. In just the second main appearance of his generally ignored career, he completed second behind Rory McIlroy at Kiawah Island. He moved from the European to the American visit this year, an alteration that seemingly have rejuvenated his passion for the overall game. "It is given a second wind," to me Lynn said. "Everything is new. I'm planning to different places every week, different classes. It is like I've started my career again almost." Guan Tianlang of China is merely starting out. At age 14, he was the youngest person to ever be eligible for the Masters. Guan got down to a start, making bogey on the first gap, but he showed remarkable poise. His right fist was pumped by him, when the ball dropped into the cup for a birdie at the third. Yet another birdie at the 10th left him with a 1 over score. The little one was accompanied by his parents and many family friends, but inside the ropes Guan relied heavily on his playing companion, two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, talking often and bathing in every bit of advice that he can. About three hours before Woods teed off, the contest began with ceremonial images from three of golf's greatest players a 83-year-old Arnold Palmer, 77-year-old Gary Player and the 73-year-old Nicklaus. Palmer was clearly pleased about his energy, which settled right at the center of the fairway. As the audience roared he pumped his right fist. "The only nerves are to make certain you make contact," Nicklaus quipped. "It doesn't produce a diddly-darn where it goes." Sandy Lyle, John Peterson and inexperienced Nathan Smith used the former winners to the tee, starting their rounds under gray skies after three warm, sunny days of exercise. There is a great chance of water by late afternoon. John Furyk and Zach Johnson opened with 69s, whilst the team at 70 involved Lee Westwood, David Toms, Tim Clark and Kevin Na. If Woods is in rivalry maneuvering to the week-end, he'll probably have a lot of competition. "Obviously, Tiger is Tiger," said Scott Piercy, who was playing in Woods' class along with Luke Donald. "He is obviously going to be that goal. He understands it, and that's how he wants it. But there is lots of people getting closer. And the golfing gods, or what you may wish to contact them, have too much to do with winning. A bounce here, a bounce there. A lip in, a lip out." Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo said about 20 people could win the Masters, all from what he known as the 2nd collection but "pretty darn good." Brian, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas. Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. Not forgetting three-time winner Phil Mickelson, protecting champion Bubba Watson and former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy. "Yes, Tiger could be the favorite," Faldo said. "He is powerful. He is determined. We will see. But he's planning to be chased with a large amount of great players." Com Follow Paul Newberry at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

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