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Rose blooms in Augusta to take share of first-round lead

11/04/2008

England's Justin Rose carded a four-under-par round of 68 to take an early lead after the first day's play at golf's first major of the year, the Masters.

Rose shares the lead with South Africa's Trevor Immelman, who also went round in 68 later in the day.

It is the third time in just four visits to Augusta that Rose has had at least a share of the lead after the first round, but he is yet to turn this early form into an overall Masters victory at the challenging course.

Fellow Englishman Lee Westwood also looked in good touch on day one as he joined Americans Brian Bateman and Brandt Snedeker one shot back after first-round 69s.

Ian Poulter is also well placed after a hole in one at the par-three 16th helped him to a two-under-par 70 and into a tie with four other players - including Jim Furyk, Robert Karlsson and Masters champion Zach Johnson - for sixth.

A fourth Englishman, Paul Casey, completed a good day for players from across the Atlantic as he went round in 71 shots – one under par – to join South Africa's Retief Goosen, world number two Phil Mickelson and five others in joint 11th.

However, it was a less inspiring first round from bookies' favourite and world number one Tiger Woods, who could only manage an even-par 72 through his first 18 holes.