Augusta Diary

Debutant McDowell learning the hard wayWhat could he do, but hold up his hands? Graeme McDowell had set out to conquer Augusta National, only to be humbled. The 25-year-old's first ever competitive round in the Masters finished with him signing for a 79 and admitting, "I really have had an education."

But the Portrush golfer was far from downbeat, even taking time out over the closing stretch yesterday to wonder if playing partner Ben Crenshaw would have time to give him a putting lesson.

"I didn't strike the ball all that bad and can't really understand how I got that score. Trying to tackle these greens is something I certainly know I need to learn a lot better. I know I can play well around this golf course - it's just going to take a bit more learning. It's all very humbling and I know now this golf course can make the best players in the world look stupid."

Casper pockets record score for family archive

Billy Casper won't hold the most unwanted records in golf, even though he shot a round that would - and should - have put him in the history books. In Thursday's first round, he took 14 shots to complete the par-three 16th hole (dunking five balls into the pond) on the way to finishing in 106. Both scores were record highs for the Masters. But Casper pocketed his card, refusing to hand it in.

Instead, the 73-year-old - who had a hip replacement two years ago - was officially recorded as "withdrew" and intends to place the card in a scrapbook for his grandchildren, along with paper clippings of his Masters win in 1970.

Despite his nightmare round, which is likely to be his last in the Masters, Casper received plenty of sympathy and support coming down the stretch. In a gesture of respect, his score wasn't posted on the boards by each green and one of his playing partners, Tommy Aaron, gave his chubby pal a bear hug on the 17th tee after his horrid time at the previous hole.

"If I had been through something like what he'd just gone through, I hope somebody would give me a hug too," said Aaron.

Three years ago, Casper received a letter from Masters chairman Hootie Johnson suggesting he "retire from competition" at the tournament.

Casper wrote Johnson a letter back. "I want to play," it said.

Afterwards, he said: "My kids wanted me to play. I wanted to play one more time, just to walk the fairways in tournament time."

And he did walk the fairways, but also hit the golf ball more than anyone in the tournament's history.

Of course now his record high doesn't count. Only his grandchildren will get to see the card that will be a real collector's item.

Tiger out of the woods after putting scare

Tiger Woods had a scare with officialdom on Thursday evening before being allowed to remain on in the tournament, where he is seeking a fourth win.

On the 14th green of his first round, there was a question whether Woods had infringed Rule 16e "Standing astride of on line of putt" with his second putt. The rule states the "player must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball."

After reviewing the television pictures, Will F Nicholson Jnr, the chairman of the competition and rules committee, said the tape was "inconclusive" and no penalty would be assessed.

Souvenir balls no cheaper by the dozen

The merchandise on sale during the US Masters week are the most exclusive in golf - not because of their price, simply because they can only be purchased during the tournament; they are not available on-line or for sale at Augusta National any other week of the year.

Prices for souvenirs at the golf shop include: visors, $15; caps, $16 to $26; balls, three for $11, 12 for $44; men's polo shirts, $49 to $149; women's shirts, $48 to $139; bag towels, $12 to $17.

Dogwood's bite is worse than its bark

The 11th hole, which is known as "White Dogwood" and starts the run of holes at Augusta National that takes in Amen Corner, proved the hardest statistically when the first round was completed yesterday.

The par four of 490 yards had an average of 4.52 that featured three birdies, 44 pars, 40 bogeys, four double bogeys and one triple bogey. The 10th - traditionally the hardest hole in the Masters - was ranked second toughest in round one.