73rd PGA Masters Tournament Begins, Tiger Woods remains Favourite

by Blaine Metzgar | April 9, 2009 at 10:01 am

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The 73rd PGA Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA. opened today with a creremonial swing from Arnold Palmer. After Palmer's inaugural swing the game had officially begun. The player board is made up of 96 professional golfers but all eyes are on Tiger Woods as he goes for his fifth, infamous, green jacket.

The Masters serves as Woods' first major since his memorable appearance in the U.S. Open last June, during which he was experiencing pain from his damaged knee. At the culmination of the season Woods underwent reconstructive surgery on his knee. Since the successful rehabilitation of his knee Woods has been in three PGA Tour events this season, winning the most recent Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"I feel pretty good at Augusta," said Woods. "I know how to prepare the way I like to play the tournament."

Welsh player, Ian Woosnam accompanied by Americans Chez Reavie and Briny Baird were the first players to tee off this morning.

With perfect playing conditions potentially facilitating low scores, the early pace was set by England's Ross Fisher who was at three under through six holes.

One shot further back was in-form American Nick Watney who eagled the second hole.

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis was at one under after two holes the same as Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Dustin Johnson of the United States.

Former Masters winners Sandy Lyle, Craig Stadler, Ray Floyd, Gary Player and Woosnam were all among the early starters and all quickly dropped shots over the first few holes.

Woods is scheduled to tee off at 1:52 p.m. resuming his quest for the holy grail of glofing: surpassing Jack Nicklaus' 18 career major wins.

The official website of the tournament is offering live streaming coverage of various holes on the course.

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