AUGUSTA // Rory McIlroy put himself in contention for a major championship on the opening day of the Masters at Augusta yesterday.
The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland got rolling with three straight birdies, and finished on seven under par. Finding himself near the top of the leaderboard is nothing new for McIlroy, one of the game's most dynamic young players. Last year, he finished third at both the British Open - shooting an opening-round 63 at St Andrews - and the US PGA Championship. He also helped the Europeans reclaim the Ryder Cup.
Meanwhile, England's Ross Fisher timed a return to form to perfection yesterday with a three-under-par 69.
With his wife Jo due to give birth to their second child early next week - he was in a similar position as he challenged for the British Open at Turnberry two years ago - the 30-year-old took advantage of the perfect conditions after teeing off in the first group of the day at 7.45am.
But with low scoring predicted for the week South Africa's Retief Goosen showed what was possible by becoming only the fifth player in tournament history to start a round with an eagle two and reaching five under after just eight holes. On his 2009 debut in the event Fisher stormed out in front on the opening day at five under after 16, but bogeyed the last two for "only" a 69 and eventually finished down in 30th spot.
This time he recovered from one over after four with four birdies in the next five and then rolled in a huge putt for another at the treacherous 11th - after being warned about slow play.
He slipped up again on the 440-yard 17th, but parred the last and after nothing better than a 10th-place finish all year and disappointing showings on his last three starts in America it was a distinct improvement.
Fisher was pleased with his start, despite feeling he could have gone even lower.
"Any time you go around this course in under 70 you're delighted but I'm kind of walking off a little bit disappointed because I felt like I played very nicely today," he told reporters.
"I rolled in some putts and any time you can make five birdies on the front nine you have to be very, very pleased."
Fisher recovered from bogeys at the first and fourth with a sizzling run of five birdies in seven holes from the fifth to vault to the top of the early clubhouse leaderboard. However he was annoyed after failing to birdie either of the par-fives after the turn.
"I was trying to take that momentum in the back and I holed a monster on 11 and made a great save on 12," the Englishman said. "I just wanted to try and birdie the par fives, unfortunately I didn't do that. And a shame to drop one on 17, but overall pleased with 69."
Two years ago Fisher entered the final round of the British Open at Turnberry one shot off the lead but vowed to drop everything and return home if his wife went into labour.
This year, his wife is due to give birth to their second child on Tuesday. I'll scoot off and give her a call," said Fisher when asked about his wife's condition. "Last time she hung on and I didn't, so hopefully it's different this time.
"The 11th was a monster and a real bonus, but I'm walking off a little bit disappointed after not making birdies at the two par fives and then dropping a shot." His day had begun with watching Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus - now 81 and 71 - hitting ceremonial opening drives as honorary starters.
"It was a special treat," he said. "They are two legends and they showed they've still got it."
Trying to get his game in order, Tiger Woods made the turn with a one-under 35, but slipped back to even with a three-putt bogey at No. 10.
Woods is in the midst of the longest winless streak of his career - 20 tournament over 17 months - but usually contends at Augusta National, where he's captured four green jackets and finished fourth a year ago.
