Woods is bidding to retain his US Masters title

Love, who has one of the best drives in the business, showed Augusta can still be conquered with accuracy off the tee and a precise short game.

He did not drop a shot on day one, as five birdies took him ahead of the field.

Garcia birdied three holes in a row from the 15th only to bogey the last when he had a chance for a share of the lead.

He had to settle for second place on four-under, alongside Argentina's Angel Cabrera.

Woods, whose previous successes at Augusta had sparked the decision to transform the course, had a rollercoaster day.

Three birdies in a row gave him a share of the early lead, before he dropped three shots in the next nine holes to fall back to level par.

US Open champion Retief Goosen started solidly

Woods is not the greatest player in the game for nothing, however, and he finished in fine style.

Birdies at 15 and 17, plus a superb par-save from the trees at the last, gave him a two-under 70 and put him in fine shape for a successful defence of his title.

"I just wanted shoot better than even par today, that was the goal," said Woods.

"You just want to keep yourself in the tournament."