Tom Watson Becomes One Of The Early Leaders At Golf Masters Tournament
Two-time champion Tom Watson is among three players that is tied for the lead early in the first round of the 71st Masters Tournament. Watson, 57, is 1-under-par through six holes at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. He shares the lead with Arron Oberholser and J.J. Henry, who are the only other players under par.
Tim Clark, the runner-up to Phil Mickelson last year, is even par along with a group of players that includes Davis Love III, Chris DiMarco, Vaughn Taylor, Zach Johnson and Mike Weir. Mickelson bogeyed his opening hole today. Four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods starts his round later today. The world’s No. 1-ranked golfer, Woods is looking to capture his third consecutive major following wins at last year’s British Open and PGA Championship.
The Masters is the first of golf’s four major tournaments. Arnold Palmer, a four-time Masters champion, hit this morning’s ceremonial first tee shot, driving the ball to the left of the first fairway.
Palmer, 77, kicked off the tournament, which had been without an honorary starter since 2002, under clear skies with temperatures in the upper 40s Fahrenheit (around 9 degrees Celsius). Tournament officials said a high of 66 Fahrenheit is expected today.