AUGUSTA, Ga. — Now they’re all off under a glorious day here at Augusta National Golf Club.
The much-hyped, much-anticipated pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson got off to a less-than-glorious start.
Woods, who made double-bogey at No. 1 Saturday hooked his tee shot left into the trees to start the 1:35 p.m. group. Mickelson went right into the massive fairway bunker. Both rebounded to make par and then the fireworks began.
Woods made birdie on the next hole, and Mickelson took off. He made birdies at Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 to get within a shot of the lead. Wood answered with an eagle on the par-5 eighth to get with four of the lead. They each scrambled for par on the ninth; Mickelson closed the front with a Masters record-tying 30.
It was a near-perfect start on a Masters Sunday that featured near-perfect conditions.
Steve Flesch made the biggest jump early Sunday before Mickelson. Flesch went par-eagle-birdie on his first three, moving to 6 under for the tournament.
The co-leaders teed off at 2:35 p.m., and each stayed at 11 under through four holes.
For more updates from Augusta check back to timesfreepress.com and read Monday’s Sports section.