Ace Poulter takes early Masters lead

US Masters:  Ian Poulter spectacularly aced the par-three 16th hole to vault into the early lead in the US Masters first round on Thursday.

The Englishman holed out from 170 yards to get to three under. He would eventually sign for a two under 70 which was good enough for the early clubhouse lead.
   
It was the 21st ace recorded at the Masters, and the first since South Africa's Trevor Immelman holed out at the 16th in 2005.
   
American Mark O'Meara, the 1998 champion, was among a group of players tied for second place at one under. He and fellow American Heath Slocum both completed their rounds in 71. 
   
Tournament favourite Tiger Woods, seeking his 14th major title, was level for the round after parring the first six holes.
   
The world number one, a four times champion at Augusta, was fortunate not to drop a shot on the opening hole where he benefited from a favourable bounce off the tee.

On a calm morning, the 32-year-old American struck a tree with his drive at the par-four first, his ball ricocheting down into the rough left of the fairway.
   
From there, Woods hit his second shot to the right of the green, chipped eight feet past the hole and sank a tricky putt to save par.
  
British Open champion Padraig Harrington is the only Irishman in the field and the Dubliner was one-under after four holes.
 
Four times champion Arnold Palmer hit the ceremonial first shot before lingering fog delayed the start of the 72nd Masters by an hour.
   
The 78-year-old American, a crowd favourite at Augusta since his debut in 1955, struck his drive straight down the middle before his ball disappeared in the fog.
   
"I've hit it out of sight," the seven times major winner said with a smile.
   
Twice Masters champion Phil Mickelson, among the day's late starters, was scheduled to tee off at 1441 (1831) in the third-last group with Argentina's Andres Romero and K.J. Choi of South Korea.
   
Fijian Vijay Singh, who won the 2000 Masters, will go out with Americans Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink, one group in front of Mickelson and company.