Masters 2011 Day 1 Recap: Alvaro Quiros and a Few Other Suprises

The first round of the 2011 Masters was certainly and eventful one. 

The big news of the day came from North Irishmen, Rory McIlroy. He fired a bogey free round of 65 alongside playing partners Rickie Fowler (70) and Jason Day (72). Rory came into famed Amen corner with already a -4 score. He would go through the easier stretch of holes 2-under. McIlroy is tied for the lead. At 21 years of age, if McIlroy holds on to his lead for the rest of the week, he would be one of the youngest ever winners of the Masters. 

Alvaro Quiros demolished the course today. His drives were routinely upwards of 330+ yards, giving him a huge advantage into many of the holes. Quiros played in a group with fellow bombers Gary Woodland (69) and Jhonattan Vegas (72). All three of them tore up the back nine playing it in a combined -11. The Abu Dubai winner shot a round of 65 putting him in a tie for first place. Much like his countrymen, putting will have to be on fire for a strong finish. 

Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia surprised many today. He fired an impressive -3 (69) which included an eagle at 13. He goes into the second round in a tie for sixth place. He has been as high up in the world rankings as second in 2008 but has struggled since then and has fallen all the way to 73rd. For Sergio to continue his strong play this week he will have to have a hot putter, an area of his game that has plagued him throughout his career. 

Another player to have a relatively flawless round was Y.E. Yang who fired a 67, also including an eagle on the 13th hole. He was a close as tied to Rory on the 17th tee, but bogeyed the final two holes to finish two back. Yang famously took down Tiger in the final round of the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine. This proves that he will not shy away from the Major spotlight. 

Phil Mickelson was all over the map today. The defending champ only hit four fairways all day, despite great confidence in his long game. He did manage to grind out a 70. It is frankly amazing that with the places Phil hit the ball today, his only bogey came on the 18th hole.  

Tiger Woods failed to wow anyone today, but also did not shoot himself out of it. He had 3 birdies and two bogeys for a steady round of 71. 

One of the many surprises came from Henrik Stenson, who has played well in Majors past but had a day to forget today. He shot a 83 including an eight on the par three fourth hole. Stenson also had a triple bogey on the 11th. 

The world No. 1 also struggled today en route to a disappointing 78. Martin Kaymer seems to have never found his footing at Augusta, in three tries at the Masters, Kaymer is yet to make the cut.  

One can only hope to have just as much of an eventful day for Round Two.