Masters Day 1 Wrap Up

Australian Mark Leishman and Spaniard Sergio Garcia fired superb rounds of 66 to lead the Masters at Augusta National after round one.

Leishman, a rank outsider with the bookmakers, turned in 35 before a three at the 10th and four consecutive birdies from the 13th took him to six under.

Garcia, playing in the afternoon, matched Leishman's score, mixing six birdies with 12 pars to complete one of his 'best ever' rounds at Augusta.

Dustin Johnson, who also reached six under at one point, bogied the 17th to finish round one in a tie for third alongside in-form Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano on five-under-par.

On a clustered leaderboard in day of low scoring, six players returned rounds of four-under-par 68.

Among them were veteran Fred Couples, 2007 champion Trevor Immelman, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler and surprise package David Lynn, who excelled on his Masters debut.

Tiger Woods - the overwhelming pre-tournament favourite - compiled a 'solid' round of 70 to sit in a large group on two under, which includes Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood, who recovered well from a double-bogey at his opening hole.

Woods was one of several players who expressed their surprise at the slow and soft greens. Phil Mickelson - who carded a 71 - and defending champion Bubba Watson - who stumbled to a three-over-par 75 - were also vocal on the subject.

World number two Rory McIlroy made some 'sloppy' mistakes to finish round one on level par, 11 shots better than Irish amateur Alan Dunbar, who is currently propping up the field.

What to look out for on Friday:

Mickelson to charge: the left-hander announced his plans for all out attack on Friday after completing his first round.

A 64 or a 65: with the greens as soft as they have been for some time and the players recognising they can attack the pins, I'm expecting to see a low number posted.

Woods to surge: now Woods has had a round to get accustomed to the pace of the greens, anything higher than a Friday 69 would be a surprise.