Keep that card º Matt Kuchar: Backed up 16 months of stellar play with a 4-under-par 68. Kuchar is tied for fifth alongside Ricky Barnes, both former U.S. Amateur champions, as the top-scoring Americans in the field.
Toss that card º Martin Kaymer: The world's top-ranked player never has made it to the weekend at Augusta. Looks as if the German will be going home early for the fourth year in a row, opening with a dismal 78 -- his worst score yet in the Masters.
On the course with ...Graeme McDowell: The reigning U.S. Open champion, who is acknowledged as one of the game's best putters, took 35 putts in a round of 74.
Phil Mickelson: The defending champion spent time in the trees at No. 10, the eye-high azalea bushes at No. 13, the second-cut on several occasions, and still did not bogey a hole until the 18th.
º Rickie Fowler: The youngster wore matching green pants, shirt, belt and hat for his Masters debut.
Well played, Goosen Retief Goosen became the fifth player in Masters history to eagle No. 1 when he holed out from the fairway (161 yards, 8-iron).
One-putt Sandy Lyle, 1988 Master champion, became the first European to make 30 starts at Augusta National. After shooting 73, the Scot hopes to make the cut for the fourth time in the past five years.
Two-putt In the past 25 years, Trevor Immelman, in 2008, is the only player who was atop the leaderboard after the opening day to go on and win the Masters.
Masters moment The day began shortly after sunrise with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer striking ceremonial tee shots. With the overnight chill still lingering, Palmer, 81, hit a little fade that stayed in the fairway. Nicklaus, 71, went next, ripping one right down the middle about 30 yards past his longtime rival.
The last word "I trusted everything. I trusted where I wanted to hit the ball. That's the key around here. With some of these pins, you can get tentative and try to guide it in there. You just have to pick your targets and trust your swing. I was very happy with the way I did that." -- Rory McIlroy
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