No golfer has discovered the dangers of going for a green more dramatically than Jean Van de Velde. And, eight months on from Carnoustie, he appears to have learnt the lesson.

The 33-year-old Frenchman took a share of the first-round lead at the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta yesterday, And his five-under-par 67 in the final warm-up event to next week's Masters owed much to his decision to play conservatively.

At both the 541-yard fourth, and 569-yard sixth, good drives left Van de Velde with a choice - lay up or take the risk. He chose the former and both times was rewarded with pitch-and-putt birdies, two of six he made on his way to joining Americans Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry and Blaine McCallister out in front.

Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, meanwhile, managed only a one-under 71 and defending champion David Duval a 73.

Bray's Keith Nolan struggled to an ugly four-over-par 76 to lie at the bottom of the field.

"Last week at the Players Championship (where he missed the cut) I played eight par fives and went for the green with an iron six times," said Van de Velde. "Yet I played them in four over.

"I thought about it. The landing areas are so small that they encourage you to go for it, but this week I decided to lay up. There's a lesson to be learnt. I did nothing fancy and played pretty solid."

Van de Velde has already had a second place at the Tucson Open since joining the US Tour - the world's top 64 were away at the World Matchplay event won by Darren Clarke the same week - and now is looking ahead to his Masters debut.

That was the chief consolation for what happened at Carnoustie and he said: "It's always been a dream to play Augusta and it's going to come true.

"I hope I will be able to tee it up. If not, my caddie will."

Stankowski earned a Masters invitation with his victory four years ago, but winners of all events on the Us tour are no longer guaranteed a spot.

"It's ridiculous," said the 30-year-old. "It stinks - I think it's a very bad rule."

Alongside Van de Velde in second place are six Americans - Phil Mickelson, Baline McCallister, Kenny Perry, Jay Don Blake, Steve Jones and Eric Booker. Of those Booker still has three holes to play.

Olazabal may believe in lucky omens, but he is trying his hardest to avoid one this week.

Twelve months ago Olazabal missed the halfway cut in Atlanta and nine days later, a two-hour drive away at Augusta, became Masters champion for the second time.

His search for form and confidence goes on.