BBC SPORT | Golf | US Masters | Garcia heads European challenge

Spain's Sergio Garcia heads the European challenge after the first round of the US Masters at Augusta.

Garcia carded a four-under 68 along with Argentina's Angel Cabrera to trail leader Davis Love by one shot.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington lies in a share of third one stroke further back.

Garcia began steadily with two birdies on the way out but he endured an up-and-down back nine comprising four birdies - three in a row from the 15th - alongside bogeys at 14 and 18.

"I'm a little sad about the missed putt on the last but overall I'm happy with the way I played," said Garcia.

"I had a good chance of saving par on both 14 and 18 but I'll take my 68.

"I've been hitting the ball really well for the last month and a half and this is a good start.

Padrag Harrington
Harrington led by three shots at one stage

"Hopefully if I can putt a little better I'll be right there."

Harrington kicked off his tournament with a promising 69 but rued the birdie chances that went begging.

He led by three shots at one stage after amassing five birdies in his front nine.

The Irishman picked up a further shot on the 11th before leaking three bogeys on the way home to lie two strokes behind Love.

But Harrington - who finished second in six tournaments in 2001 before winning the season-ending Volvo Masters - missed three birdie putts inside 10 feet between 15 and 17.

"I am disappointed with the three good birdie chances that didn't go in but I would have taken three-under going out.

"But it's inevitable you're going to make a few bogeys out there.

"I hit a lot of good shots and kept out of my way but I got in my way a bit at the end there.

"But it's a good situation to be in. It's only the first round and it was good practice."

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik also put himself in a good position with a two-under par 70, including five birdies, to keep abreast of defending champion Tiger Woods.

Parnevik was second in the BellSouth Classic on Sunday, but has never finished better than 20th on five previous trips to Augusta.

"I think I was too scared of the course," he said. "I had heard so many horror stories about it.

"But my iron game is as good as I want it. I missed some drives, but I always do."

Jose Maria Olazabal, who won the title in 1994 and 1999, also carded 70, as did Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who compiled two halves of 35.

Ireland's Paul McGinley
Paul McGinley is making his Augusta debut

British amateur champion Michael Hoey , 23, had an eventful debut, finishing with a three-over 75 despite a string of five successive bogeys to the 10th.

Another Augusta debutant, Ireland's Paul McGinley, made a poor start with bogeys in his opening two holes.

But the Dubliner recovered with birdies at the 15th and the 17th for a level-par 72.

"I was tentative at the start, not through nerves but because I hadn't practised very well," he said. "So I'm obviously very pleased to have got that score.

"It's the toughest course I've ever played and I really battled. Three years ago I think I would have got down on myself."

Three-time Masters winner Nick Faldo, former European number one Colin Montgomerie and former Open champion Paul Lawrie could do no better than 75.


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