Golf story by Boris Webb, Fri, 07 Apr 2006 12:36:00 GMT


AUGUSTA, Ga. - Vijay Singh emerged as the early leader at the end of day one at the Augusta Masters on Thursday. The 70th Masters proved to be quite a tough one for defending champion Tiger Woods who needed a 35-yard birdie putt on his final hole to finish five strokes behind Singh.

However, the day belonged to Vijay Sing. The 2000 Masters champion was in his elements as he stroked his way to 5-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead over Rocco Mediate. Only Masters rookie Arron Oberholser could break the 70 barrier into the top three, while others finished way above 70. "I played really good golf, didn't struggle at all," Singh said at the end of the day.

"It wasn't difficult to shoot 67. It's very warm now, and the ball is going a long way. Better not say that too loud — maybe they will move it back another 50 yards next year." Singh birdied four of the final eight holes on Thursday and stuck 14 out of 18 greens to cap off a fine day, which he finished off without a bogey. The conditions were picture perfect as Woods agreed.

"It plays more like a U.S. Open right now than it does a Masters," he said. "We're all curious to see how it is going to hold up playing fast. With the wind supposed to blow 20 miles per hour, it might make things more interesting." So it could only be rustiness that prevented the top guns from making it high on the leader board. As Woods said, it's early days yet, but the opening round has definitely gone Vijay Singh's way.

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