By Ken Brown BBC Sport golf commentator

Rose topped the leaderboard after round one

Thursday was a very good day for the British at the Masters.

At one point there was an Englishman, an Irishman, a Welshman and a Scot on the first page of the leaderboard.

That must be the first time that has ever happened at Augusta.

The leader, Justin Rose, played wonderful tee-to-green golf and he hit 17 of the greens in regulation.

He did have one bit of luck when he pulled his approach on the 10th.

It looked like the ball would scuttle miles away, but it hit a tree and he chipped and putted to get down from there.

Rose came into the event knowing he was playing reasonably well but was maybe not putting to his usual standards.

He did not take all his opportunities on the green but 32 putts is not too bad.

He helped himself by making a perfect start, birdieing the 1st and 2nd, and he finished in style as well by birdieing the 17th and 18th, which are both tough par fours.

Rose was also fortunate in that he had an early start when there was no wind.

At that stage there had been a little light rain which had softened the course and meant the greens were a bit slower than they had been during practice, making it a bit easier to putt.

Another Brit to produce a good opening round was Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who was very pleased with his 70.

Darren Clarke was looking very dapper in his new trousers

He did miss some chances to shoot a lower score, but anyone who breaks par is not going to lose too much sleep tonight.

It was at this tournament last year that he finally decided he needed to improve his fitness levels after having to play 28 holes in one day.

One result of his improved fitness is not just greater stamina but also his ridiculous trousers!

His waist has gone from 41 inches to 36 and he says he is having to get new tailored trousers every three weeks at the moment.

Two Scots will also be pretty pleased with their opening efforts.

Colin Montgomerie produced a very steady 71 and putted well, although he did bogey the last.

Sandy Lyle was ecstatic with his round of 72.

He won the tournament back in 1988 and was first out with a couple of the senior past champions, Tommy Aaron and Charles Coody.

If Rose was one of the two main stories of the day the other was Tiger Woods, who was out in 40.

You would have to say he was struggling and it was a combination of factors that caused him problems.

He hit a few hooks off the tee and there were a couple of poor irons from the light rough - he hasn't found his game.

In the first round in 1997 he went out in 40 only to come back in 30 before going on to win by 12, so he can do it, but it is not looking that good for him at the moment.

However, if he can just find a bit of timing he can still shoot some decent numbers.