Golf: DiMarco in early command at weather-hit Augusta

AUGUSTA, Georgia - American golfer Chris DiMarco reeled off three consecutive birdies to move one shot clear in the weather-delayed US Masters first round today.

DiMarco, who teed off at the par-four 10th, picked up shots at the first, second and third to get to four under after 14 holes when fading light ended play for the day at the par-72 Augusta National Golf Course.

Some of the biggest names in golf were hot on his heels, though, with defending champion Phil Mickelson, world No 1 Vijay Singh and US Open title-holder Retief Goosen just two strokes adrift.

Mickelson, who ended a 12-year wait for his first major victory at Augusta National last year, bounced back from an opening bogey to get to two under after 11 holes.

Singh, Masters champion in 2000, was level with the American left-hander, also after 11, while Goosen had completed 13.

Australia's Mark Hensby, playing his first Masters, held the clubhouse lead on 69 after mixing three birdies with a solitary bogey at the par-five eighth.

Also at three under was another Masters debutant, British Ryder Cup player Luke Donald after 14 holes.

However, it was not a day to remember for three-times winner Tiger Woods and world number three Ernie Els.

Woods, chasing his first major title since the 2002 US Open, was two over after 12 holes, having bogeyed the par-five 13th where his eagle putt trickled off the green into Rae's Creek.

The former world No 1, who teed off at the 10th after a 5-1/2 hour delay because of early morning thunderstorms and lightning, partially recovered with a birdie at the par-five 15th.

However, he then dropped another shot at the par-four first to slip six strokes off the pace with six holes remaining.

South African Els, runner-up a stroke behind the triumphant Mickelson at Augusta last year, was one of several players who battled as the gusting winds strengthened.

The three-times major winner bogeyed the 10th, his first hole, the 11th, the 15th and 18th and was three over after 11.

Earlier, play was put back five times by organisers due to the persistent threat of lightning before the first of the year's four major championships eventually got under way with a two-tee start early in the afternoon.

However, the weather forecast for the next three days is a lot more optimistic with a possibility of showers on Friday and mainly dry conditions at the weekend.

Should that forecast prove accurate, then round one could well spill over into Friday before the Masters gets back on track for the weekend.

Completed first round scores

US unless stated:-

69: Mark Hensby (Aus)
72: Jonathan Kaye, David Howell (Gbr), Casey Wittenberg
73: Trevor Immelman (RSA), Rod Pampling (Aus)
74: Jeff Maggert
75: Kirk Triplett, Shaun Micheel, Jerry Kelly, David Duval
76: Jim Furyk, Bo Van Pelt, Steve Flesch
77: Tom Watson, Ted Purdy
78: Ian Woosnam (Gbr), Larry Mize
79: Tommy Aaron, Paul Casey (Gbr)
80: Ben Curtis
82: Stuart Wilson (Gbr)
88: Charles Coody
106: Billy Casper
WD: Nick Faldo (Gbr)

- REUTERS