Putt luck for Tiger

TIGER WOODS was thinking about good omens after making a solid, if unspectacular, start to his bid for an elusive 15th Major.

In the first round at Augusta, Woods ground out a two-under-par 70 — which proved a lucky number for him when he bagged his first three Masters titles.
That same score was the launchpad for his maiden victory in 1997 and when he won back-to-back Green Jackets in 2001 and 2002. Maybe that was why he later shrugged off a couple of missed birdie opportunities.
The world No 1 declared: “I’m very happy with the start and with my position after the first day. I played good, solid golf and putted nicely. Even the ones that didn’t drop had a good look at the hole. So I’m pleased to have a good platform to build from.”
The only other time Woods has opened with a 70 in 18 visits to Augusta was four years ago, and it did not prove such a lucky charm then.
That is not surprising considering Woods had just returned from knee surgery and was juggling a string of illicit lovers just before his sexual indiscretions became public. But, yesterday, we saw Woods with his game-face on.
Apart from a grimace when he made his only bogey at the 14th hole, Woods seemed to be in control.
These days his off-course distractions are limited to a relationship with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, who was present to see her man bag birdies at the sixth, eighth and 13th holes.
When Woods entered the clubhouse he was four shots adrift of the early pacesetter Marc Leishman.
The Aussie journeyman’s 66 suggested the big guns had missed a trick.
Luke Donald admitted the course was there for the taking after a rollercoaster 71. He said: “As you can see from my scorecard, that was a little bit up and down.
“The greens were as soft and slow as I’ve ever seen.”
Leishman was later joined on six under by perennial under-achiever Sergio Garcia.
Last year, after finishing 12th, the Spaniard said: “I’m not good enough. I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to play for second or third.”
Yet yesterday he said: “It was one of those moments where you are a little frustrated. It probably came out wrong the way I said it. But every week I tee it up and try to play my best golf and give myself a chance to win.”
Rory McIlroy had a mixed round and ended up on level par. The Northern Irishman said: “I thought there would be a few chances on the back nine but I just didn’t take full advantage.”
Meanwhile, 1992 champ Fred Couples, 53, rolled back the years with a four-under 68.