Masters Scores 2012: Dissecting the Day 1 Leaderboard

The Masters has begun. The year's first major has instantly captivated golf fans around the world with a wonderful opening round that showed us that we are in for a real treat over the next three days.

At one point, we saw six players tie for the lead at six-under-par. One of which was Henrik Stenson who led the field alone for much of Thursday until a nightmare on 18 saw the Swede make quadruple bogey.

World No. 3 Lee Westwood is the outright leader at a major after a round for the first time in his career.

The Englishman equaled his best round at Augusta by shooting 67 to hand himself the perfect start in his chase for his first major victory.

Westwood leads at five-under-par, one shot ahead of British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Swede Peter Hanson on at four-under-par.

The American bid comes a further shot back with Ben Crane, Bubba Watson and US PGA runner-up Jason Dufner at three-under-par.

They are joined at that score by the European trio of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Lawrie and Francesco Molinari.

Tiger Woods ignited at one point, leading us to believe he would defy his traditional slow start at Augusta by reaching two-under-par, until two consecutive bogeys ensured he had to settle for an even par round of 72.

Fellow favourite Rory McIlroy started dreadfully with a opening double bogey at Tea Olive. The world No. 2 managed to gain some vital momentum heading into round two as he closed with back-to-back birdies at 17 and 18.

Bubba Watson dazzled at times with a wonderful array of strokes as he shaped the ball magnificently around Augusta. The American seemed to relish playing with fellow big hitters Rory McIlroy and Angel Cabrera as they formed the most entertaining three-ball of the day.

Debutant Keegan Bradley battled superbly in his second major championship appearance to shoot a 71, which included another double bogey at Tea Olive, but the US PGA champion managed to wrestle his round under control and leads fellow debutant Webb Simpson by one stroke with the world No. 10 well positioned at level par.

Other big names such as Justin Rose, defending champion Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia and Hunter Mahan all shot 72 to lie five strokes off the lead.

Players with work to do on Friday in order to make the cut—or ideally put themselves in a position to contend—are Phil Mickelson who shot a 74 and world No. 1 Luke Donald who is alongside Adam Scott a further stroke back at three-over-par.

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