Day One Highlights Golf: The Masters

May be. Yes, Sir! There it is! Can you believe it? Yes, for Gary

Player! Oh, what a shot! Simply incredible. A life changer! Yes! At

long last! Oh, wow! One of the greatest putts I've ever

seen. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen

and welcome to the 80th playing of the Masters. It is always such a

special start to any masters. Not driving this year, Mr Arnold Palmer.

Arnold, the king at 86, unable to swing this year. Please welcome Mr

Gary Player! But he is as fit and competitive as ever at 80 years

young. Oh, wow. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr Jack

Nicklaus! And at 76 years old, the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus on his

30th anniversary of his sixth and final win at Augusta. Rarely have we

seen so many patrons lining the first fairway to see golf's big

three. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2016 Masters has now officially

begun. Have fun! It is always such a thrill to see Palmer, Nicklaus and

Player United at Augusta but now the stage belongs to younger men. This

is the 80th playing of the Masters. Rarely have we seen so much

anticipation and excitement ahead of the tournament. Much of the talk has

centred on golf's so-called new big three, an Australian, an American

and Northern Irishman. Between them, they have bagged five of the last

six titles. -- major titles. It feels good to be able to walk around

here is number one in the world. If I go out and I let my game just flow

and play the way I know I can play, of course I can win on this golf

course. I'm going to try to use last year as

momentum. We know we are capable of playing this place. We have proven

it to ourselves in the last two years. Just the jacket itself

provide a real validation. But at the same time, you know, it is not

easy, it is not easy to get. The world numbers one, two and three

are part of an 89 strong field this year, the smallest for some 14

years. Let's show you some of the big-name groups.

This is the first round, a morning start for defending champion Jordan

Spieth, in the company as is tradition of the reigning US amateur

champion, Bryson DeChambeau and Europe's resurgent Paul Casey. It is

Justin Rose's 10th attempt at Augusta, runner-up last year,

alongside Welshman Jamie Donaldson and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year

Daniel Berger. Augusta specialist Bubba Watson, with two wins in the

last four years, as highly rated South African Branden Grace and Ian

Poulter for company. World number one Jason Day of Australia comes

here with back-to-back wins in America and an early afternoon start

for him with Matt Kuchar and tee time runner-up Ernie Els. Grand slam

seeking Rory McIlroy plays a waiting game in the very last three ball of

the day. He plays with Bill Haas and two time major winner Martin Kaymer

of Germany. Sunny conditions but blustery, gusty winds in various

well. -- in there as well. Early headlines made by Tom Watson

in his last appearance at the Masters. This is a long attempt for

birdie and drained. Tom takes the lead! Jordan Spieth is hoping to

join Tom Watson as a two time Augusta champion this year. All

quiet in his round until this second to the third. The man who led from

start to finish last year. That would set up a first birdie of the

day for the defending champion. A very productive three ball that

Spieth found himself in because his playing partner Paul Casey would

join him at 1-under par on the very next hole, the short par-3 fourth.

Paul has always enjoyed coming to Augusta. This is his 10th attempt at

the club. Performing strongly on the US PGA Tour, full time now. That is

a gimme birdie. Up ahead, Austria's big Bernd Wiesberger, loving his

second visit to Georgia. This approach to the seventh would set up

a second birdie of the day for him. The six Austrian, in the outright

lead and he would putt that one, to make it to under the reigning French

Open champion. As many of you will know, Englishman Lee Westwood

certainly has a very strong record here in colluding runner up six

years ago. -- here, including runner up. That one disappeared and he was

into red numbers as well. 1-under par. And Zach Johnson, a man who

triumphed here in 2007, and the man who last year won the Claret Jug to

go with his green jacket. His tee shot at the 6th, he had a

hole-in-one in the par-3 contest yesterday with his family and

friends around him. Surely he could not get another, could he? It is

tracking all right, but just a foot or so right of the pin. He would

convert that to go to 1-under par. As we join it, there's an Austrian

on top, as Europe seeks a first win this century in the Masters. It is

to under par for Bernd Wiesberger and in the group at 1-under par, the

likes of Lee Westwood, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler, highly fancied

this year, defending champion Jordan Spieth and Paul Casey. So, deep

greens and yellow flags, pink and white flowers, the scene is picture

perfect as ever but more mesmerising as always is the drama and

excitement this beautiful stage produces. Soaking it all in, Pauling

Azinger, Andrew Cotter, Ken Brown and Peter Alliss.

COMMENTATOR: Thank you, Hazel, and here we are at the burst, Justin

Rose, one of England's favourites. A nice strike, head still, it is

running nicely and oh, what a lovely way to start the day. Played one,

1-under par. He has always played well here,

Justin. I wonder if he will do it again? Title

this is the two, the Jordan Spieth and right in the heart of the hole,

off to a flyer, a couple under after six. Gorgeous. A bit of breeze

about, not easy. Club selection is always tricky. Paul Casey at the

7th, his second shot. This hole has been lengthened tremendously over

the years. It is now very difficult to get your ball to stay on the

green but Paul Casey does just that with the wind freshening. A narrow

green, sloping from back to front, deep, deep bunkers all around. Jamie

Donaldson at the 2nd. A birdie chance. It is slippery but he bangs

it in the heart of the cup, made par at the 1st, birdie at the 2nd for

Jamie Donaldson, the Ryder Cup hero. 1-under. Lovely. Casey at the 7th. A

slider, left to right, for three. Right in the middle. Well done. He

has always played well here, Paul Casey. Opened up with, well, you can

see, seven played and two birdies, 2-under. A nice start.

The first green, Matthew Fitzpatrick, 21 years old, a birdie

chance. You don't get many birdies at the 1st. Does he like it? Oh, he

does! Well done. The winner of the British Masters at the end of last

year at Woburn. Perfect. The greens are true and pure, aren't they?

Wonderful, amazing. Jordan Spieth with his third. He has laid up at

the par-5 but playing up right the length of the green, here, though.

He has zipped it, a little ledge, the pin at the back right of the

great and it skips forward. Delightful, delightful shot. He

really is a marvellous wedge player. Justin Rose with the old claw grip.

Can you see his right hand? They follow like lemmings. Look at the

borrower on this. Brown she comes, Rowntree... Oh! That was on the

third, a birdie putt. -- she comes. An ugly six at the 2nd but redeemed

by a couple of threes. 1-under. Up to the eighth and after a very good

pitch from the defending champion, this is for birdie.

He gets it and goes to 3-under. Scoring very good. The wind is

freshening and the forecast is to be very windy this afternoon. That

could change things considerably. That is how things stand, early on

on this Thursday, Jordan Spieth recovering some of the form, that

mystical form he had 12 months or so ago. You can see some familiar

names, the European contingent going along very nicely indeed. A good

mixture. But it is very, very early in the piece. There's a lot of three

putting to happen before Sunday night.

Just a brief glimpse, there come of Matthew Fitzpatrick, his second to

the second, down the hill, the par-5. The breeze is into and that

is a magical shot, feathering it through the narrow gap. It gathers

up and he will have that... Go on, go on! It is a nasty, slick one down

the hill but it will be for eagle. To the ninth, Spieth, the defending

champion. Pops it in. That was for par. A very nice outward nine of 33.

Not a blemish on the card. He has got that familiar look back. It is

time for the old cashmere insert down here. This is slick. A short

one for a three which he missed but we will go up the Donaldson who is

going along very nicely. At the 5th, 1-under par. I tell a lie, he is

going along even better than that, now 2-under par. Jamie Donaldson,

the pride of Wales. Spieth at the 10th, on the downhill, as you can

see, took a 3-wood, I fancy, from the team. Wind assisted. -- from the

tee. This is a very good-looking green, when you look down from the

high ground, it looks very inviting. That is online and a good one if it

stays. Yes, good shot. Very nicely done. Our first look at Lee

Westwood, whose record here is pretty good. But this is for par at

the short 12th. Oh, it dribbles by the edge. So many shots are just

frittered away at the par-3s. Outside chance of a birdie four Paul

Casey. -- a birdie, four Paul Casey. Left-to-right. 3-under par. Out in

34. A scarce birdie at the 10th, the 10th and 11th are very hard par

fors. Fitzpatrick. On the fourth, 1-under, look where he is aiming

this one. Dealing it down the left-hand side. Will it? It will.

Very nicely done indeed. He stays at 1-under par. Going along very

sweetly for a newcomer. Under the cup, putting uphill, Spieth, the

easiest six footer on the 10th and in it goes, 4-under par, the

outright leader. He has played the Masters twice before, second and

first last year, the defending champion off to a real flyer.

Superb. Yes, his record is quite extraordinary here, for such a

useful player. A check on the leaderboard. -- youthful player.

Spieth has completed ten, alongside Paul Casey. And some familiar names,

the cream of the game at this moment, towards the top of the

leaderboard. Looking good. Spieth on the 11th, in a bit of trouble, here.

Trying to keep his feet stable on the pine needles, or the pine straw,

as they call it, here. It sounded like a good contact. Found the

little gap. "Yes", they cried. That is a bit cruel. That was a horrible

first jump. Stay there, stay there. Do you know what? It has. That is a

huge bit of fortune after some poor fortune initially because that was a

great escape. He got away with it. Paul Casey with his second shot at

the 11th. 227 yards. They have a Liebrich the tea bag at the 11th

over the years. -- the tee back. The players want to ten to bail out to

the right for safety, anything to avoid the left. That is a bailout

for Paul Casey into the back bunker. That will be a dicey second shot.

Probably affected a lot by the wind. Its world a lot on the 11th. Lee

Westwood with a birdie attempt to get back into red figures. Sheltered

from the winds down there by the giant trees. This one creaks in the

right half. That shot that went on the 12th is gathered up on the

following hole. -- creeps in. Paul Casey played a decent bunker shot

and this putt will be so fast, putting downhill towards the water.

So many putts at Augusta, you maybe have given it slightly to the side

of the centre. -- have two hit it slightly. Aggressive stroke but no.

A dropped shot for Paul Casey, he goes back to 2-under par. Europe's

Ryder Cup captain, the last year of his five-year exemption for winning

the 2011 Open, so his last chance at the Masters unless of course he

continues to do that and finishes well enough. Other things on his

mind this year. It is a very hard job and takes up a lot of your time

but Darren Clarke is under par. And now Jordan Spieth for par at the

11th after a bad break. It might have been a good break, to stay up.

This is for a two putt from the collar. Oh, yeah, he is always so

steady on those. Up to the 12th. A good part, there, for Jordan. Brandt

Snedeker has made a bright start. A decent record at the Masters as

well. He was the halfway lead two or three years ago. This is well

judged. Very well judged indeed. It was going at some pace as well

towards the end but it sneaks in and Snedeker with two birdies in the

first four holes, linking up with Ben Crenshaw as an adviser, all his

knowledge of the Masters. Jordan Bunce Mac tee shot at the 12th, only

156 yards but a very narrow green, the fourth most difficult hole at

this point. That is OK, actually. Better than being in the bunker,

that is for sure. Bubba Watson, and I'm noticing that Hideki Matsuyama

has birdied the ninth to go to 2-under par, the man who finished so

strongly last year. Watson, well, he joins in with the birdies and many

think he may be ready to win again, here. He does like the even years.

Jordan came up a bit short on his effort from just over the green at

12. This is for par. It looks so square, look how nice, his

shoulders, hips and feet all matched up. Well judged. He loves getting

Latin! -- getting that in. Daniel Berger, his first Masters,

the man who lost in a play-off to Padraig Harrington at the Honda last

year. This is rolling well. Beautifully done by Berger. Three

birdies in the first eight holes in his first Masters. Back to the 12th

and Paul Casey for bogey. He just cleans that up. Ernie Els for par on

the first. He found the fairway with his drive, unsuccessful with the

birdie but the sunlight comes and goes... Oh, goodness, did you see

the putter as well, it just went off in his hand. He flinched on that

one. My goodness, that was careless. He has got to move on. What is going

on? He looks at his caddy. Jason Day turns away. How many is that now?

One, two, three, four... Four putts already. I think that is right. This

will be his fifth putt. He missed the green and pitched up to there

and had that putt 4-part right here earlier. -- putt the level macro. My

goodness. That is sad, that is all you can say about that. Very, very

sad. Golfers will understand. People might mock him but that is horrible.

That is a ten. Lee Westwood at 16, playing 168 yards today. Actually a

pretty easy hole location. In the left portion of the green. Yes, well

done. Anything to the right of the flag should be towards the hole

today. -- should feed towards. Paul Casey, a good angle to look at the

hanging lie he has got, slight downslope at the par-5. You need a

steely nerve. The creek is in front to the right of the green. A twirl

of the club is all with a good sign. Is it heading left? Not at all! What

a shot from Paul Casey! Eagle putt to come. You are right, the twhirl

is a dead giveaway. This is a shot that Masters champions seem to make

a easy. But I can tell you first hand it is not an easy shot. A

hanging lie, Jordan Spieth with his second at the 13th. Another terrific

effort the Jordan Spieth. What is it with him, Paul? He comes alive when

he comes here. It is like that with some players, major Championship can

get some players to some point where it is a fault but if you can't

control your emotion... Lee Westwood for his two on the 16th. Nicely

judged. Justin Rose has birdied the ninth so the British challenge is

looking pretty robust at the moment. That must have been Jordan Spieth's

third shot at 13. This is for birdie. Yes, nicely done.

It was two putts in the end. He looks so solid over the short putts.

Jason Day, the world number one. His second... I wonder if he might be

affected by playing with Ernie Els? He is friends with Ernie and that

would be horrible for any golfer to watch. I totally agree. You have got

to just stay focused on what you are doing and let the guys around you go

away. What a shot from Jason Day, down the hill at the 2nd. An

opportunity for eagle, here. Leaving himself a nice uphill putt

as well. To another par-5, deeper in the course and Paul Casey for

birdie. His group is going well, Casey and Spieth and Bryson

DeChambeau, the third member, not playing too badly either. A mixed

bag on the back nine for Casey. Jason Day it a monster tee second

shock to hear, this is for eagle, not a lot of breaking this putt and

he has drained it. A good start for Jason Day. Eagle at the 2nd. That

will bring home some crystal. So this is the way it stands at the

moment and Jordan Spieth, what a record at the Masters, second on his

first appearance a couple of years ago and then he won and he's on top

of the board again, two shots clear of Daniel Berger in his first

Masters, Westwood, Paul Casey and Rose alongside the world number one,

Jason Day and Bryson DeChambeau, the amateur champion also on the first

paid. Those on the second page mostly in the early part of their

rounds. Justin Rose down the hill at the 10th. Not a great chance, you

just want to judge the speed right. Look at how high he had to play

this. Oh, wow. You have got to be kidding me, Justin Rose! Get a claw

grip right now. I'm switching! Well done.

Here we are, the campaign begins for Rory McIlroy. The big, blue driver

and away we go. The wind is beginning to below around the

course. The applause dies away. -- to below. Right-hand bunker, is he

heading that way? Well, use not. He's got a bit more room than we

think, there. He might be OK standing above ground, just. Ian

Poulter, downhill at the 6th, hole cut in the front left portion of the

green. It may be the easiest hole location on the entire putting

surface and he has hit a beauty, a virtual gimme, there. That could get

him to 1-under par. Paul Casey has found the sand with his second on

the par-5 15th, all the way down the green he comes, looks to have judged

this pretty well, just catches the slope and keeps on going. It keeps

on going. Beautifully played by Casey. All of that for his birdie

four. A bailout shot to the bunker on the right. Poulter on 1-under

par, actually, and this is to get to 2-under. Pretty routine right here,

I would think. Yet. Well done. Good start for Ian Poulter. Still looking

for his first major. Scott Piercy, it looks like. Yes, it is. A chance

to go to 3-under par. This tells you what it has -- what a start it has

been, we are at the 4th. No rapture is raw from the patrons but Scott

Piercy is moving along well. -- rapturous sound from the patrons.

Paul Casey played a beautiful kind of fat run down the hill to 15 and

this is for birdie. -- fat run. He barely breathed on the ball and it

reached the hole. Paul Casey moves to 3-under par. John McLaren on his

bag this week, Paul Casey. Jason Day has got a bit of borrow in this one.

Just tickles it left to right. Nice, I mean, right in the middle for

Jason Day. I wonder if he might be upset by that seven putt from Ernie

Els from his playing partner at the 1st but Jason Day is absolutely

focused, and eagle and a birdie. Paul Casey's tee-shot is on at 16.

Oh, he has almost flown it in! We call that the all finish at home.

You can just about give him that. He will go to 4-under par.

Brandt Snedeker, on this par-5 8th hole. Outstanding motion. Doesn't

take any time at all over the putts, and in it goes. Dropped a shot at

the par-3 sixth, but three are these as well. I've already given Paul

Casey this, but I tell you, there's a lot of chicken on that bone, this

is far from a gimme to get to 4-under. Down the hill. He just

touched it. Catches the left side and drops, well done. So these are

the movers and shakers on the first day, and Jordan Speith out in front

as he so often has been at the Masters. Paul Casey going along very

nicely, alongside Jordan Spieth. What a shot from the Irishman.

Should go to 2-under par. Let's have a look at Justin Rose

here at the 13th, this for birdie. Chance to get to 3-under par. Oh

yes. Nicely holed. Many felt Justin should be the pretournament

favourite here. He's proving them right.

In 2004, he led and then this man took over the British challenge,

Casey. The crowd was excited about that. Casey slips back, shame. Rory

McIlroy, left him two beauties coming up just short, looks like he

will hit a delicate chip shot up the hill. A swirly little bounce but

should be just short enough to tab that in four McIlroy. The Watson

with a fetching light blue glove today. 2-under par at the moment.

And what a third shot at the par-5. Something must have gone wrong with

his tee shot or his second, that he's in fine position now. Second

shot up the hill. From here you cannot see the bottom of the' flag.

It's difficult to judge. Maybe a half a club or so extra. You can

tell he wants to cut it in. Is it the right distance? Boy, is it ever!

Sauber shot. 18 is playing the second most difficult hole on the

course today. Shane Lowry has started very well. Wonderful short

game that should suit him round here, and gets the parts are working

as well. There's a bit of support. Jordan Spieth, not a whole lot of

break in this putt. Might go to the back of the green. Gone the other

way, but he's made it! He made it look easy! What a round of golf.

Bogey free. Six birdies the Jordan Spieth, 6-under par. The early

clubhouse leader. That is quite a statement from the defending

champion. Can McIlroy get his challenge going and keep it here?

1-under par at the moment here. That never really had a chance. He fired

it right of the hole. Paul Casey. Down the hill. He's had a lot of

these tricky ones down the hill. Oh yes, no problem. Good start for Paul

Casey. 3-under par 69, just three back. He gets to watch Jordan Spieth

again all day tomorrow. Nice to be able to stay in touch with the

leaders. Well, what a leaderboard already. Jordan Spieth, the

champion, opening with a 66. He went 64, 66 in his opening two rounds

last year. Let's hear from the man on top of the leaderboard. Jordan,

you've finished second in this tournament two years ago and you won

it last year. How do you rate that round of 66? As good as any. The

first two rounds last year, the second round last year trying to

back up the 64 was a really solid 6-under round. The first round of

the is the was really special and I guess somewhat historic. But to come

here today in these conditions, I was accepting 2- under, I would have

signed for it right away and I wouldn't have played today! Grabbing

four extra strokes out there with no bogeys, just awesome. It's great to

be in this position again. It's the first round, a long way to go. Is it

simply a case of a return to Augusta, a return to the form of

2015? No, I feel this has been coming in recent weeks. At Houston I

was starting to get it together, I just hit a couple of bad balls and

hit balls into the water. Here I gave more respect to the golf course

than I did last week but I felt my game was there. You mentioned last

year you enjoyed the stress and confidence of competing in this

tournament, do you feel those same feelings again today? Yes I do. It's

tough because it's so soon after the round that I was obviously very

pumped up on a lot of those putts, even the par saves. Saw some fist

pumps today, I haven't given fist pumps since maybe Hawaii. There is

certainly emotion out there. I know where I am and I enjoy where I am

and how I'm playing. That one on 18, I was very happy there. It will be

interesting to see the difference, if there is a difference, in

sleeping on a lead. We enjoyed watching you, well done today.

Jason Day, third shot at the long uphill par-5 8th hole. Clipped it

up, will it stop? Oh! How do they do that? Very well done to my coming in

from the wrong side. Very good shot. Shane Lowry. A few birdies at the

5th with this back pain and shame makes another one. How is that for

an opening gambit? -- bag pin. Four birdies in a row, Kenneth.

Smarter than the average bear! Jason Day for a birdie, he has played

beautifully since he had to watch dear old Ernie Els take seven putts.

But it hasn't affected him, that is the way you do it, line them up and

knock them in. The 15th green and Justin Rose as holed it nicely. He

moves to four under. Looking very confident with his new grip.

Jason Day now, after a beautiful drive at the 9th. Uphill. This is a

dangerous hole. How often have we seen beautiful shots pitch up at the

flag, spin and come 30, 40 yards down that hill. It happened to Greg

Norman, didn't it? Played a beautiful shot in fact but ended up

nowhere near. Let's see what Day can do. Clipped that nicely, it's right

on target. Oh! You see, the spin was just about right. They can say what

they like, he had no idea he was going to get that sort of control

over it, an act of God. The golfing gods decreed you've been a good lad,

I will let it stop close. And it did! Scott Piercy. Little

right-to-left. Just tumbled into the cup. They are making a mockery of

the game, Kenneth! This is a scoring course, I have to say, but this is

exceptional. Breezy and some pretty tough pins on a number of the

greens. Now then, Justin Rose for a par. Just going to miss on the

right. That's a shot dropped. He moves away. Paul Casey has played

a good round. Let's hear from him. Paul, how much did you enjoy that

round of 69 today in the company of Jordan? It was fantastic, a joy to

be playing with a defending champion. I'm not sure I've been

privileged to have been paired in that group before. To get up close

and personal and see how he really took the golf course apart today was

really impressive. Good group, we had wonderful momentum right from

the beginning. I'm looking forward to more tomorrow. You said of all

the Majors you play you are most comfortable and confident here at

Augusta. Why is that? Two reasons. I think my game suits this golf course

very nicely. Second, we get to come back every single year so you know

it so well. My first trip here was 2004 and I got to play with Floyd

and Langer and Crenshaw and guys like that and I learned the course

quickly and some secrets. The other tournaments I'm comfortable at but

with the course is different every year... At Augusta I know it suits

me. COMMENTATOR: Rory McIlroy, second

shot, level par. That's a beauty. Will it just trundle back a bit? No.

That's a fine shot, playing in the worst of the conditions. He has

holed a lot of beauties today. It hopped in the economic lacking in

pace. Seemed a little something on the green. The tense catches a few

players out and it has caught him out. 10th, 11th, 12th, very

difficult today. A couple of shots behind Jordan Spieth. McIlroy, 7th

hole. Just needs a little tickle down the left. Will it? Yes. I

thought it was just going to squeeze by on the outside, but he birdies

that. One dropped shot, at the par-3 four. Looking tidy.

Now, Bubba Watson. Can he finish it off at the 11th? This is to stay at

2-under. Oh! That was a Tripoli one, that was a nervy prod.

-- that was a dribbly one. Running well, nicely done. Always extremely

satisfying to make a two at the 12th. Par-5 to come. Justin Rose.

Coming up the last hole, 3-under now. Has he hit it on to the top

level? Come along... Yes he has. That's a good result. Lovely shot.

Chance for a three. Let's see if we can see a bit of Shane Lowry magic

with one of his wages. Lovely crisp sound. That was delightfully played.

The green running away from him and he had to land it on a sixpence and

he did it beautifully. Cracking shot, he will have that for a

birdie. To the 18th, Justin Rose after that splendid second. This is

for a birdie three, and he pushed it a little bit. We've seen so much

golf from Augusta, you would think they would know the run of the

greens. But it seems to change sometimes. It's an extraordinary

fact but it is true. Now, Shane Lowry at the 8th, after that

delightful pitch, which was very tricky. This for a birdie. He had

four birdies in the first five holes and now he's got another birdie. He

is playing quite beautifully. 5-under par.

STUDIO Justin Rose was right there at the

end of last year's masters, that tied second place, and he has set

off with great purpose again, the 35-year-old Englishman. Let's get

Justin's thoughts on what has been a very taxing day.

That is the fifth time you've opened up a round in the 60s here at

Augusta, how pleased argue with what you did today? I'm very pleased with

that first round. Some first rounds are easier than others, conditions

wise. That is probably one of the trickier ones I've played. The pro

here, JJ, was joking with me that I always start here with a round in

the 60s, so I'm trying to live up to that reputation!

Danny Willett, birdie putt at the 9th. Pretty brave to get it left of

that hole location and beautifully stroked. That is quite a birdie

there, for Danny Willett. Matthew Fitzpatrick 16th hole,

1-under par. Par finish from here would be a very good opening round

for the young fellow. That could be... Oh! It stuck. It's thinking

about it... No. Good shot, though. Rory McIlroy's second, after a

massive tee shot. Oh yeah. Couldn't have been much more than a sand

wedge for Rory. Fitzpatrick for his two, at the 16th. It dobbled in,

well done. Poulter, terrific tee shot. Hit his second to hear. He's

got to get this up the hill. An extremely slow putt through the

shadows, but he's got this for eagle. He's given it a wrap. Will it

be enough? Good effort. After a terrific second shot for

Rory. Great birdie down the hill. Now Rory McIlroy 2-under par, making

a little noise here on day one. Now Ian Poulter for birdie, just to

clean this up a little bit. Yes. Well done. Red figures now, for

Ian. Just watch his feet, folks. See if

he stays tied to the ground or if he slips a little bit. Boy, this is

pretty risky. And he's pulled it off! Well, he's got the heart of a

champion, no doubt about it. That is a brave effort from the pine straw.

Ian Poulter at the 14th. Playing very quickly. And that's a beauty.

That is a magnificent second shot on this treacherous green. The

colourful Billy Horschel. At 18. The hole cut on the back right, you've

got to get it on top, and he's done it. Look at it run. Good shot.

Poulter. Solidly done. Poulter in a tie for

seventh at a couple under par. Jason Day eagled the second. At the 13th,

chance for a second big Bird of the day. He hit it! That was a very good

effort. It will be a kick in effort for birdie for Jason Day. What a

four, from the pine needles down on the right-hand side. Jason Day will

move back up to within one shot of Jordan Spieth. Matt Fitzpatrick, to

finish out here. Nicely done. Very, very good round from Matt

Fitzpatrick. He made his debut last year and missed the cut but opens

with a 1-under par 71 in his second year here at Augusta. Danny Lee,

7-iron. Front left pin position today. Fairly friendly. Wonderful

shot. From the New Zealander, South Korean born but raised in New

Zealand. Chance to go to 4-under. Let's see just how brave he can be,

5-under par. Well, there's an old Irish shot. Getting down under the

wind, trying to hold it up with that wind. What a shot from Shane Lowry.

That's a masterclass in dealing with the wind. You don't often see that

at Augusta. That is how it was intended to be played. Danny Lee

with another beautiful shot here at 17, we've seen a lot of them but not

many holed. That is dead centre for Danny Lee. 4-under par now. On day

one of the Masters. McIlroy then for his par on the

11th. No, so McIlroy starts Amen Corner with a drop shot. Now finally

Lowry, after rolling and getting relief from the sprinkler, he has

this for par. Slow down. This green is flat and very, very fast. Ian

Poulter at the 16th. A far friendlier par-3 than the

12th. You are making decisions on every shot out here, you know,

Andrew. Here you've got to decide, am I going to be brave enough to go

at it? Am I going to sling it out to the right? That is a nice result.

Now Jason Day, still just a shot behind Jordan Spieth but this to

remain there. Well, he's made a bit of a mess of

that hole. He hasn't done anything tightly there at all. Loose drive,

had to lay up. Poor pitch and a poor second. A six at the 15th, back to

four. Now, Poulter. Chance to get to 3-under. Looks good, looks very

good. Poulter moves to 3-under. Now in a tie with Casey and Rose, who

have finished their rounds. To the 16th tee, Jason Day, after that

slight mishap. What on earth is happening? Suddenly

the magic is disappearing. That could be in the water. There it is.

The tell-tale ripples. All of a sudden, we were going along chatting

away to the caddy and having a lovely time, and now... Yuck. Rory

McIlroy, 13th, second shot. The drive, big drive. What a gem.

Absolute gem. Found his tee shot into the water, then he had to drop.

A rather ugly six. He drops back to 1-under. Rory, there will be a raw

if this goes in, for an eagle. He's done it! An eagle three Faure

McIlroy. -- a roar. Rory McIlroy vaulting up the

leaderboard here at Augusta National. How exciting this is

proving to be in the opening round, with Jordan Spieth there and Jason

Day. He's had his problems the last couple of holes, Jason Day. Rory

McIlroy making a decisive move, now within three.

COMMENTATOR: Sergio now on a bit of a hot streak, birdies in the last

three holes each. And another great chance for Sergio.

That is a tricky putt. That putt is so fast.

Ian Poulter, after that very nice delicate chip from behind the green,

this for a par-4. Firmly done, well done. Good round. 69, well played.

They've had enough and so has he. Danny Willett, at the 16th. Playing

with Garcia, who has played a beauty, and he followed him in. Two

cracking shots. Up to the 18th. Jason Day tabbing in for a round of

72. 31 out there and then all those messy mistakes on the inward nine,

441. 31, 40 one. How things can change, can't they? Over to Sergio

with this treacherous putt down the hill. Just got to breathe on it.

Some touch there. Four birdies in a Rover -- in a row, for Sergio.

Struck it nicely. He has kept things going very nicely today. That is a

fine two. Rory McIlroy for birdie, here at the 15th. For a two putt

birdie. Beautifully holed, Rory. He is making some noise now! Lowry,

with this very delicate 8-foot putt for a birdie. Oh! It slides by

envelope side. But never mind, it's a four. Many have taken five today.

Disappointing when you play such a cracking second, but four under.

Here is Danny Willett, going to drop his first shot of the day if he

knocks this in. Couldn't quite get up and down from the back of the

green. It's been very tidy so far. In she goes. The first birdie comes

at the final hole, but still very impressive for Danny Willett. Just

that blemish at the last. Still a good round, round in 70. McIlroy,

then, for his par at the 16th. No, that's a waste.

What a fine effort this has been from Shane Lowry. Can he finish with

a birdie? Oh! He thought he had it, I think they all thought they had

it. Very good, though. Very impressive. No birdie at the final

hole, but only his second Masters, remember. He missed the cut last

year. That is an opening 68 foot Shane Lowry. As close as anyone to

Jordan Spieth, alongside Danny Lee in a tie for second place. I didn't

really get as many shots even though I drove the ball ready well and gave

myself a few chances. When I got myself out of position on the greens

I had a nice couple of two putts. All in all it was a great start to

the weekend and I'm looking forward to the next three days. Rory

McIlroy's second at the 18th found sand and a plugged lie, so he

splashed it out, 25 feet past, and from there he would make bogey.

Disappointing, you can see how he feels about it. Rory still in the

hunt after an opening round of 70. This was his reaction. I was 4-under

with three to play, so it would have been nice to get it in at under 70

at least. It's a tough course, you're going to make some bogeys

around here. I just need to go out there and be aggressive tomorrow and

get those shots back as quickly as possible. But I'm happy with the

day's work overall. It really lifts the spirits from a UK perspective,

six home players and an Irishman all in the top ten. The last defending

champion to own an outright lead was Jack Nicklaus in the defence of his

title, in 1966. Jordan Spieth is in illustrious company. No doubt about

it, his record at Augusta is fantastic. His 66 in blustery

conditions was beautifully crafted. This was his putt outnumbered ten, a

little one down the hill there. This was his key. This was number 11. A

little bit off to the right. Lovely pace, dead centre of the cup. He

missed the green at 12, chipped up and it was a tricky little putt.

Time and time again, if he got into trouble, the putter gave him. These

are so tricky. That was a touch and a half. 66, the standout round.

Ironically he had been struggling with the putter coming in here,

looks like he's resolved that. A lovely acrobatics this wonderful day

for Shane Lowry and for Ireland, totally uninhibited all striking.

This shot was wonderful. Never left the flag, with that long iron. Just

made a par at 11, but his round of 68 today was very special. Some

beautiful pages and lovely shots as well. There is an awful lot to come

as we move very quickly towards Masters weekend. We've got round two

highlights from 1:30pm tomorrow. Live and uninterrupted coverage of

the whole weekend's play from Augusta.

We are on an hour early on Sunday night, from 6:30pm with the deciding

round. On the line, a green jacket to be claimed. It has been a taxing

and testing opening round but the man who has passed Augusta's

examination today with top A star grades, top of the class as he has

been for some time, Jordan Spieth.