GOLF US MASTERS:YOUNG OR old, whether they do so with exuberance or patience, players will somehow find a way to conquer this sternest of golfing examinations. And, as a stiff wind gusted through the towering cathedral pines for much of the first round of the 74th US Masters here at Augusta National yesterday, master practitioners ranging from their 20s to a gent in his 60s contrived to confound and defy.

So it proved, on a fascinating opening round that had memories of Turnberry last July returning in the shape of Tom Watson. So it proved, with Phil Mickelson rediscovering that a favoured course will always provide gifts. So it proved, with European number one Lee Westwood finally finding a way to, as he put it, “plod” around the old course. So it proved, with US PGA champion YE Yang showcasing his talents in a quest for back-to-back majors.

And the heavy air which threatened tornadoes all through the day was also filled with a roar of old: that which accompanied the shot-making of a certain Tiger Woods, while Fred Couples – coming in from the Champions Tour where he has won three times this season – also contended strongly to enthuse just as loud a crescendo from behind the ropes.

Watson – at the ripe old age of 60, and competing in his 37th Masters – was the first to sign for a round of 67, five-under-par. This time, following on from his exploits in the British Open last year where it required a play-off for Stewart Cink to defeat him, there was no element of surprise. Instead, all anyone could do was shake their hands at his stubborn refusal to leave the stage to younger performers.

Watson was flawless on the scorecard, starting out with a birdie from 30 feet. It wasn’t an easy ride. From the 10th to the 14th, Old Tom rode his luck, getting up and down after missing four successive greens. But he didn’t have a bogey all day, finishing with three birdies in his last four holes – on the 15th, 16th and 18th – to once again turn back the clock in a body that moves with the aid of an artificial hip.

Where did Watson’s round come from? On the last seven occasions he had teed it up at Augusta National, he missed the cut. In fact, the last occasion he broke 70 was in 1991 – when he would eventually go on to finish tied-third – but there is a new belief about him. The secret? “I have to play better than 90 per cent to be successful on this golf course. My driving has been pretty good, that’s been better than 90 per cent. My iron game is just a little questionable. My putting, I would have to say, is above 90 per cent. So, I’m above that 90 per cent threshold. So, I give myself a good chance from that perspective.”

It would be incredible if Watson were to stay at there, but we’ve learned never to discount him. Can he win? Or someone in their 50s, perhaps Couples? “It’s a long shot for somebody, still, honestly, of our age to do it. But still, they can do it,” he remarked.

For Westwood, his opening 67 was like something out of a textbook on how to play the course. He didn’t miss a single green Finally, it would appear, he has the belief and patience required to cope with this course’s vagaries.

“Over the last few years, I’ve gradually found a way to plod my way around and feel more comfortable. I’m gradually working out a way for me to get around in as few shots as possible and I’ve certainly learned patience over the last few years, and that has a lot to do with playing major championships successfully I think. You can get ahead of yourself, and you can be your own worst enemy sometimes,” said Westwood.

Mickelson’s highlight came on the par five 13th, where he hit a six-iron approach to 30 feet and holed the eagle putt. As ever, he only has eyes for the green jacket. “My expectations are high and I thought it was a good, solid start to the tournament, but it’s just one of four (rounds),” he said.

While Watson, Westwood, Mickelson and Yang shared the clubhouse lead – a shot ahead of Anthony Kim who recovered from three successive bogeys on the back nine to bounce back with an eagle on the 13th, and Nick Watney – there was evidence elsewhere of the dangers lurking should anyone drop their guard.

Jim Furyk floundered on the back nine (a miserable run that included a triple bogey and two double bogeys) while Paul Casey was in line for a strong opening round when he ran up a triple bogey eight on the 15th which was followed by a bogey at 16 and a double-bogey at the 18th for a 75.

A year ago, in the final round, Rory McIlroy finished with a charge of 31 strokes on the back nine. Yesterday, he took 37 en route to an opening round 74. The 20-year-old Ulsterman had just one birdie on the way home, a chip-in on the 14th. Pádraig Harrington, meanwhile, was one-over on his round through 14 holes.

As Mickelson put it, however, this is only one lap of four.