KEY POINTS:
Michael Campbell visited parts of Augusta National an 18-handicapper might have been embarrassed about during his first round of the Masters yesterday.
But such were the New Zealander's powers of recovery, he was able to escape with a four over score of 76, seven shots behind joint-leaders Justin Rose, of England, and American Ryder Cup player Brett Wetterich.
If Campbell can hold or improve his position of 43rd equal, he'll make his first cut in seven attempts at the year's first major championship.
With only nine players under par in the first round, the opening-day scoring was the highest at the Masters since 1969. The hard, dry nature of the course and lightning fast greens meant ball control was at a premium.
World number one Tiger Woods bogeyed the last two holes to shoot 73 and defending champion Phil Mickelson is among the 16 players tied with Campbell on 76.
The New Zealander's game off the tee was at times horrific. His opening shot was a rank slice which finished under a bush near a TV commentary box that's supposed to be out of the way. He had to chip out and started the day with a bogey.
He hit just six of Augusta's generously wide fairways, mostly missing on the right side. But his iron play was of such quality that he could still hit the ball on the green from places that were sometimes 50m off line.
The only time he dropped a shot from an errant drive was on the 18th when, for a change, he pulled it left into an unplayable position. After taking a penalty drop and chipping out, he then made a wonderful save by pitching up to the green from just under 100m and holing a 3m putt.
The highlight of his day was a birdie on the spectacular par three 16th. He drew a six iron behind the hole location on the back left of the green and holed a curling putt from 5m.
"Today was just a prime example of how tough this course can play," he said afterwards as he headed towards the practice range. "If any part of your game is off it certainly shows and today my driving cost me a lot. That's what I'm off to work on right now.
"My iron play was strong and I putted well. I managed to grind it out and I made a few good pars there."
Rose, who led the Masters through 36 holes in 2004, had a bogey-free round.
The Englishman is credited with just 20 putts in the 18 holes. He did use his putter from the tightly cut fringes on numerous occasions, but that remarkably low total was helped considerably when he holed a bunker shot on the 5th.
Wetterich has a New Zealand caddy, Patrick Tarrant, from the King County. The burly American made five birdies in his first round at the Masters and is the first rookie to be an opening day leader since Chris diMarco's debut in 2001.
The joint leaders are just one shot ahead of another American, David Toms, and Englishman David Howell. The top 44 and ties make the cut and all those players within 10 shots of the lead.
