Golf: Putting lets down Lee in nervous start

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee admitted to fighting off an attack of nerves as he stood over the first tee at the US Masters here yesterday.

Lee battled back from a mid-round hiccup when he dropped three shots in two holes to birdie the 17th on the Augusta National course, eventually carding a two over 74 first round.

However, fellow New Zealander Michael Campbell had a horror round, recording his highest score at the Masters with an eight over 80.

Campbell's round included eight bogeys, three coming in succession from the fourth hole.

The 18-year-old Lee ended the round trailing nine strokes behind American Chad Campbell, followed by fellow Americans Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk on 66.

Tiger Woods birdied three holes in succession from the 13th hole but ended on a sour note in dropping a shot at the last for a score of 70.

Lee had spent the morning watching a movie on TV before emerging from the Crow's Nest and on to the practice range and purposely wearing a green coloured shirt as "everything is green out here".

As Lee stood on the first tee, the official Augusta starter simply said in his Southern drawl: "Danny Lee now driving."

However Lee admitted afterwards he stood over the ball fighting nerves.

"I was very nervous walking from the practice putting green and my stomach was hurting and it was just amazing that there was that many people there," he said.

"I was still nervous after my tee shot but after three or four holes I settled down.

"I didn't play really awesome today and the only bad shots today I hit were at nine and ten.

"The frustrating thing was that I hit a lot of good shots into the greens but just couldn't make any putts, so hopefully it will be a lot better tomorrow.

"I feel it will be a bit easier and definitely going to be better tomorrow, and if I can work on my putting and get used to these lightning-fast greens I should be fine.

"I didn't go out there with a score in mind and all I just wanted was to do my best. I shot two over today but it could have been better if I'd putted better."

Lee teed off in the company of defending champion Trevor Immelman, who carded a 71, and Australian Adam Scott, who also signed off for a one under score.

While Scott was pleased with his equal best opening round in eight Augusta appearances, the Gold Coast golfer was also very impressed with Lee's efforts.

"Danny was very impressive and very composed and very professional in every way, and he certainly plays a better game than me when I was 18," Scott said. "I was loose but Danny, right from his opening tee shot, was really impressive. He then played a beautiful pitch shot to save par.

"He got himself out of position at the ninth hole and took double but other than that, to record a birdie and 15 pars in your first round on Augusta National in a US Masters is a pretty decent round of golf."

Scott said Lee's game would only improve as he matured, and he should take encouragement from his opening round.

"A 74 is not the end of the world and besides, Danny will be a lot stronger now that he's got this first round out of the way."

- NZPA