BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | US Masters | Tiger frustrated in Masters quest

Tiger Woods insists he is still on course for his fourth Major in a row after finishing the first day five shots off the pace.

The world number one finished on two under par, five shots behind surprise first-round leader Chris DiMarco.

It is a measure of the man that while many players were happy to finish at level par or under, Tiger appeared annoyed not to have done more damage to the Augusta card.

But after his round he talked up his chances of his chances of adding the Masters to last year's Open, US Open and USPGA titles.

"This is a major championship...this four days. Everyone knows it's awfully hard to go out there and shoot in the mid-60's everyday in a Major.

"Overall I am very pleased, I drove it pretty well and had some good iron shots.

"I didn't really putt as well as I liked to but you really can't be unpleased with a number in the red.

"It's the start of a Major championship and you want to put yourself there so you have a good chance."

Woods was annoyed at missing a handful of birdie chances
Woods fluffed a handful of birdie chances
Woods saw several birdie opportunities slide by as he failed to take full advantage of soft conditions on the notoriously dastardly greens.

Woods did not get off the the best start - blasting his opening drive way left, to a deafening silence form his US fans, and finishing with a bogey.

He was soon back in the groove, holing a 15-foot putt for birdie at the 350-yard, par-four third.

He finished the front nine with a flourish, taking birdies at the seventh and ninth and just missing a birdie chance at the eighth.

His ball hit the back of the cup and hopped out, an unfortunate break that summed up Woods' frustrating day.

Woods is cheered on by a fan in the trees at Ausgusta
Woods missed the fairway more often than usual
He stumbled again at the start of the back nine, taking a bogey at the long, downhill 10th.

Woods followed that with a string of four pars, but was angry at missing an opportunity to gain a stroke at the vulnerable par-five 13th.

But he did manage to birdie to the par-five 15th to lift himself back to two under par.

He finished with three solid pars but could be seen muttering to himself in frustration as he walked from the 18th green.

It was a steady round and he leaves him well in contention but was not the rip-roaring start many fans expected.


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