Chad Campbell Streaks to Lead in Round One of the Masters

Texan Chad Campbell streaked off the first tee; that’s birdie style. He birdied the first five holes and then had a streak of four holes on the back nine to challenge the course record of 63 and 10 birdies in one round.

He had to settle for nine birdies and two bogeys and a leading first round of 65. Fellow Ryder Cuppers Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan were one stroke back.

Campbell’s start of five birdies in Round 1 was one better than Ken Venturi’s start in 1956. When asked the rhetorical question if he was happy with the start Chad’s response was a rhetorical understatement.

“Yeah, definitely happy the way the round started. Got off on a roll, and it's always nice to make a couple of birdies to start, much less five. It was definitely the way I wanted to start.”

The four-time winner on the PGA TOUR knows there is a lot of golf yet to be played at Augusta National.

“(I am) obviously happy that I'm in the lead, but definitely (you) never want to finish the round with two bogeys. (It) kind of leaves a little bit of a sour taste in your mouth.
I still feel like I'm playing well, and just kind of keep it going.”

With light winds on the first day compared to the earlier practice days, it came down to putting to some extent as to how one scored on Day 1 of the 2009 Masters.

“You can definitely shoot some scores if you're playing well and making putts. You know, you've got to make putts out here to score well. The greens are always tough to putt. They are a little bit less difficult to putt, obviously, when the wind is not blowing. I think that is the hardest part when it is windy is putting on the fast greens.”

Jim Furyk, a veteran of that last 12 Masters, had a streak of his own, birdieing Nos. 14 through 17 in a bogeyless 66.

The 2003 US Open Champion has played poorly the last two weeks, missing the cut at Bay Hill after finishing third at Doral in the WGC-CA Championship.

Furyk attributes the good play in part to some hard work with his Srixon club maker, which resulted in a few changes in his equipment.

The adjustments obviously recalibrated his laser-like irons.

“The key really was I hit a lot of really good iron shots and kept the ball in play with my driver. I made enough putts, but I hit a lot of really close shots on that back side. I had two birdie putts inside three feet and I knocked it pretty close on 16.

"I didn't have to knock in a bunch of bombs or anything to shoot the score I did. I just kept the ball in front of me very well.”

One shot on No. 14 barely cleared the mound on the green and rolled up to the hole for a tap-in birdie. Knowing that Augusta National will not be happy with the relative ease of scoring on the first day the veteran golfer noted the change in forecast for the weekend.

“The green was receptive enough; I could stop it, and it's allowed a combination of some pin placements being as accessible and the greens being a little bit softer than what we are going to see on the weekend.”

Translated another way: men, have your fun on Thursday and Friday, and after the cut we will toughen it up a bit.

The tees were up a bit today and that played into the relatively short hitter Furyk’s hands too in two ways.

“If it's playing shorter and the long guys get up there, you have to hit in that neck to go for the green. There are times where the fairways may be bigger for me than the guys who hit it longer.

"But let's be honest, if I get an 8-iron on the green, I get it high and spin it vs. a 5-iron, it's always an advantage. And these greens definitely help a guy that puts the ball in the air.”

Hunter Mahan matched Campbell’s nine birdies with two streaks of his own, birdieing Nos. 6 through 8 and Nos. 13 through 16. His up-and-down round included two other birdies, a double bogey on No. 11, and a finishing bogey.

Nine birdies will make you forget the other stuff.

“Just a beautiful day out here. The weather finally turned right for us. It was a day to be had I think. The pins were accessible. They were still tough but accessible. I just hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, and played pretty smart when I had to and played aggressive when I was there and finally rolled in some putts.

"I had great pace on the greens, which is, I think, so important out here, you have to have the right pace so you can read the right break. I had a good day. I was in control of myself and my game, so that's always a good thing.”

Mahan credits his Ryder Cup experience as to how he has elevated his game on tour.

“I definitely feel more confident in my abilities and I feel more confident in where I stand in the game of golf and on the PGA TOUR, about pretty much how I feel playing with guys in tournaments.

"I feel like I could step up on the tee at any tournament and feel like I should be able to win. I don't see any reason why I can't step on the tee this week and win.

"And playing in The Ryder Cup and playing in pressure-packed situations like that with all of the fans, it's a great learning experience and great confidence builder and hopefully will play a big role on this weekend.”

Shingo Katayama and 1987 Masters Champion Larry Mize tied for fourth place, two strokes behind Campbell, with matching 67s.

A large group of eight players were three shots back after firing 4-under par 68s: another Ryder Cupper Kenny Perry, 2007 US Open Champion Angel Cabrera, 2004 British Open Champion Todd Hamilton, whose five-year exemption expires this year, Wednesday par-3 Champion Tim Clark, Masters rookie John Merrick of California, Major-less Aussie Aaron Baddeley, 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir, and PGA TOUR upstart and Tiger prey at Bay Hill the last two years Sean O’Hair.

Cabrera was able to hit a 4-iron second shot into the par-5 15^th hole. Asked if the wind played a factor today he responded: “The wind played a role today. There was a little bit of wind, but you had to consider the wind in every single shot, but it was not a major problem.”

Tim Clark, who finished second only three years ago, shot a solid 4-under 68. He did so by birdieing all four par-5s without attempting to reach any of them in two swings.

He attested that the weather and course setup were favorable to going low today.

“With the course playing short and the greens being soft, I was pretty much able to keep it on every green. Years gone by, I've had a hard time stopping it from going over the back of the green.

"Today, I felt like it was a lot easier to score. It certainly was a great experience out there today, having the course play somewhat similar to what it did probably 8-10 years ago.”

Clark’s attitude matches the spring time weather that has moved in for the 72nd Masters Tournament.

“You can either go one way, come and stress about what you're going to do or just come and enjoy it. It really allowed me to stay relaxed out there, and I was not worried about what I was shooting. Just taking it one shot at a time and smelling the roses, as they say.”

That positive perspective was also present as he aced the last hole yesterday and won the annual par-3 contest.

“It's an honor to be here. Augusta National has us (back) every year, and this is part of the tournament, so, yeah, I like to come out and give it my best. I just wish we would play a few PGA TOUR events on par-3 courses, because I would have a chance.”

Does Clark think a win in the par-3 contest may mean he will not win the tournament proper?

“To win this is something I will have forever. Like I say, I'm not one who believes in superstition. I believe it's merely coincidence that the winner has not gone on to win. Obviously it's extremely tough to win on Augusta National. I've got my work cut out. It's a great way to start the week.”

There are many story lines this week at The Masters. The weather has improved dramatically, although the forecast calls for thunderstorms Thursday afternoon.

We have Greg Norman back and playing respectably with a first round 70. Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller playing in their last Masters.

The potential “Paddy Slam” with a solid first punch today of 69. Larry Mize leading the Masters champions. The Phil and Tiger rivalry.

It is spring time and the golf season is officially upon us. Enjoy the final three rounds of the 2009 Masters, as I am sure it will be quite entertaining.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering for the tournaments and working part time for NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and The Golf Channel.

He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him to [e-mail]