DiMarco in early command as Mickelson, Singh chase
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-08 09:32

American Ryder Cup player Chris DiMarco reeled off three consecutive birdies to move one shot clear in the weather-delayed US Masters first round on Thursday.

DiMarco, who teed off at the par-four 10th, picked up shots at the first, second and third to get to four under after 14 holes when fading light ended play for the day.

Sixty-eight players were still out on the course and will resume the opening round at Augusta National from 9" Some of the biggest names in golf were hot on DiMarco's heels, though, with defending champion Phil Mickelson, world number one Vijay Singh and US Open title-holder Retief Goosen just two strokes adrift.

Mickelson, who ended a 12-year wait for his first major victory at Augusta National last year, bounced back from an opening bogey to get to two under after 11 holes.

Singh, Masters champion in 2000, was level with the American left-hander, also after 11, while Goosen had completed 13.

Australia's Mark Hensby, playing his first Masters, held the clubhouse lead on three-under-par 69 after mixing three birdies with a solitary bogey at the par-five eighth.

Also at three under was another Masters debutant, British Ryder Cup player Luke Donald after 14 holes.

"I've felt comfortable every year I've been here," said DiMarco, who has produced three top-12 finishes at Augusta since making his debut in 2001.

"Again, this is the start of the race. This is a marathon and we have a long way to go. I'm going to have to play 22 holes tomorrow, and who knows what can happen out here."

FORGETTABLE DAY

It was not a day to remember for three-times winner Tiger Woods and world number three Ernie Els.

Woods, chasing his first major title since the 2002 US Open, was two over after 12 holes, having bogeyed the par-five 13th where his 40-feet eagle putt rolled off the green into Rae's Creek.

The former world number one, who teed off at the 10th after a 5- hour delay because of early morning thunderstorms and lightning, partially recovered with a birdie at the par-five 15th.

He then dropped another shot at the par-four first to slip six strokes off the pace with six holes remaining.

South African Els, runner-up a stroke behind the triumphant Mickelson at Augusta last year, was one of several players who battled as the gusting winds strengthened.

The three-times major winner bogeyed the 10th, his first hole, the 11th, the 15th and 18th and was three over after 11.

Three-times winner Nick Faldo pulled out after eight holes because of back spasms and 1970 champion Billy Casper also withdrew, after suffering the ignominy of recording the highest score in Masters history.

The 73-year-old American battled to a 34-over-par 106 that included a record 11-over 14 at the par-three 16th.

Earlier, play was put back five times by organisers due to the persistent threat of lightning before the first of the year's four major championships eventually got under way with a two-tee start early in the afternoon.

However, the weather forecast for the next three days is a lot more optimistic with a possibility of showers on Friday and mainly dry conditions at the weekend.

Close

Lyon 1-1 PSV Eindhoven Ding Junhui wins World Snooker China Open UEFA cup quarter-final

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
FM rebuts US threat of economic sanctions         Poll: American views on nation improving         EU guide on textiles 'violates WTO rule'         Tough task ahead to curb speculation         Boeing says insulation blankets 'no problem'         Beijing to see electricity price hike	Shevchenko, Stam head Milan to win over Inter       China's world champion Xia out of Japan Open       China to host world boxing championships       Chelsea win but Bayern penalty keeps hopes alive       Li Yi double puts Shenzhen in driving seat       Rockets lose 122-117 to Warriors