AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tim Clark is trying to end Augusta National’s Par-3 curse.
The South African jumped into contention again at the Masters, opening Thursday with a 4-under-par 68 that left him with the clubhouse lead. Kevin Sutherland and England’s Ross Fisher were one-shot back on a perfect day for scoring: warm and sunny with a slight breeze.
Clark has been in this position before. He was runner-up to Phil Mickelson in 2006, and held the 36-hole lead the next year.
“It’s an extremely demanding tournament,” Clark said. “But I know what it takes to win this tournament, and I certainly come here with that mind.”
He’s already been a winner at Augusta. On Wednesday, Clark took first place in the Par-3 tournament with an ace on the final hole, but that fun-filled victory comes with a bit of baggage: No winner of the nine-hole preliminary has ever gone on to take the green jacket.
Asked what he received for his Par-3 victory (a crystal vase, by the way), Clark quipped, “I guess they give you no chance of winning the tournament.”
But the 5-foot-7 Clark followed his game plan perfectly. Not very long off the tee but pinpoint with the wedges, he laid up at all four of the par-5 holes — and made four birdies, none of them with a putt longer than 10 feet.
Clark had another birdie at No. 3, the shortest of the par 4s at 350 yards, to offset his only big mistake, a bogey at the par-3 fourth.
“I wish they would play a few PGA Tour events on par-3 courses,” he said with a smile. “I think I’d have a chance. I feel like if I get within 160, 170 yards, I can play with anyone.”
Greg Norman shot a 2-under 34 on the front side in his first Masters appearance since 2002. Mickelson made the turn with a 35, as did Padraig Harrington, going for his third straight major title. He closed 2008 by winning the British Open and PGA Championship, both victories coming while Tiger Woods was recovering from knee surgery.
The world’s No. 1 player is back on the course, looking to build on a win at Bay Hill two weeks ago and playing in his first major since he hobbled to an improbable playoff victory at the U.S. Open last June.
Woods had an afternoon tee time, also hoping to take advantage of pristine conditions — a striking contrast to the foul weather that hurt scoring at Augusta National the last two years. The temperature was warming into the 70s, and there was no immediate threat of rain.
“I wouldn’t think that 4-under would hold up, to be honest,” Clark said.
Fisher was atop the leaderboard at 5 under until he bogeyed the final two holes. Sutherland closed stronger, making birdies at 15 and 16.
Arnold Palmer delivered a ceremonial swing to get the Masters started shortly after sunrise. The 79-year-old King whacked the ball down the right side of the fairway with his one swing, then ceded the tee box to so many compelling storylines.
Among them: Harrington trying to join Woods and Ben Hogan as the only players to win three straight major titles; Norman returning to the scene of so much heartache; Gary Player competing at Augusta for the 52nd — and final — time; three brilliant teens taking a crack at the green jacket; and, of course, Woods’ return to the majors.
He came back from an eight-month layoff at the end of February, and showed he’s fully recovered at Bay Hill by overcoming a five-shot deficit on the final day. He’s an overwhelming favorite to win a fifth green jacket at Augusta National, which would leave him one away from Jack Nicklaus’ record.
Woods has plenty of competition, though, starting with Harrington and Mickelson. The Irishman won both majors while Woods was away, including a second straight British Open title. Mickelson is a two-time Masters winner who looks as strong as ever, having already won twice this year.
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