English hopes soar
Casey, Rose and Poulter in joint fourth after first round
HOPES of a first English winner since the second of Nick Faldo’s victories 20 years ago were boosted as Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter all ended the opening day tied for fourth on 69.
Casey played in the same grouping as defending champion Jordan Spieth, whose six-under 66 led the way with Danny Lee of New Zealand and Shane Lowry of Ireland tied for second, two shots back on Thursday.
The English trio were level, a further shot back, with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark.
All three have posted top-10 finishes before in the Masters, but it’s the first time all three have been this high in the leaderboard together after 18 holes.
Poulter, who has struggled for form over the last year, said that the three – all close friends – could help play off each other.
“It’s nice, obviously. Great players, and players that play this golf course well,” he said.
“Justin, you know, is someone that’s played this course exceptionally well. He’s gotten off to fast starts as well around here.
“Paul has a good record on this course. So those familiar names that love Augusta National and are on the board right now.”
Rose, in particular, is regarded as being one of the best outsiders for this year’s green jacket honours after finishing tied for second with Phil Mickelson behind Spieth last year.
On that occasion, his 14-under total would have been good enough to have won all but five previous Masters.
At 35 and playing the tournament for the 11th time, he believes he knows the secrets of the Georgia layout as well as anyone and has the tools needed to win on Sunday.
“Last year was obviously a big confidence boost, but Augusta National has always been a place I’ve felt comfortable,” he said.
“I’ve always believed that I have a great game plan and a great strategy on how to play this golf course.
“I’ve always felt comfortable on the greens here. It’s a place that, just as soon as I get inside the gates, I enjoy being, and so all of those things add up to me feeling like I’m always going to have a good week here. The rest comes down to execution and hitting the shots.”
Casey, meanwhile, paid tribute to the legacy of Faldo and the other European winners of the tournament in the 1980s and 1990s, saying they had been an inspiration to him.
“As a young boy in England, it was always on very late at night, so being able to stay up late at night and watch the Masters was just something very, very special,” he said.
“It was this magical attraction, which you sort of fell for. Plus the Europeans had this great success through that period, Sandy and Faldo, Woosie, Langer, Seve.
“The fact you get to play the golf course you saw on TV as a kid, I’ve never lost that love and that excitement.”
Fast-rising fellow Englishman Danny Willett nearly joined then at three-under only to miss a four-footer for par at the last that brought him in with a 70.
Veteran Lee Westwood and new boy Matthew Fitzpatrick were both on 71 to add further relish to the first day for English fans. — AFP