Couples ahead of superstar leaderboard

Well, this Masters is certainly starting out terribly.

Or, the best possible scenario.

Fred Couples is 50. Tom Watson is 60. Maybe Jack should have played at 70.

This is the best leaderboard I've ever seen and hopefully it will keep up throughout the entire tournament.

Fred Couples: Coming off three straight wins on the Champions Tour, the 92 Masters champ shoots a career low 66 to lead by one.

Tom Watson: After almost winning the British last year, most people said that was the only major he could contend at because of the links style. As long as they don't set up the course too much differently, he could have a chance.

Phil Mickelson: Very inconsistent all year, but the two-time champ putted great and looks sharp.

Lee Westwood: Always seems to be up there in the Majors recently and said afterword this was the best round he ever played at Augusta.

YE Yang: PGA Champ is looking for his second consecutive major

KJ Choi: Hasn't won a major yet but he is definitely capable.

Tiger Woods: Played great for his first round in 144 days. He could have been the overall leader had he not missed a few makeable putts. Woods did hit the shot of the day at the 9th when he hooked a five iron around the trees with the wind howling to a back left pin location. The ball came to rest about ten feet away and he drained it for birdie.

Anthony Kim: Won last week in Houston, is very streaky, and can get hot on Augusta greens, as he showed last year when he made 11 birdies in round two.

Par 3 contest

(Sean O'Hair had his daughter caddy for him last year during the par 3 contest)

The 2010 Masters Par 3 Contest will be held on Wednesday April 7, 2010 starting at 1:00 p.m. Live streaming video coverage will begin on Masters.com at 2:00 p.m.

• First played in 1960 and won that year by Sam Snead, the Par 3 Contest has become a Wednesday tradition at the Masters.
• The nine hole course is par 27, 1,060 yards
• There have been 70 hole-in-ones made
• No par 3 Contest winner has won the Masters the same year
• There have been 18 sudden death playoffs
• The course record is 20, held by Art Wall and Gay Brewer
  

Woods arrives early at Augusta

Tiger arrived Sunday at Augusta to hit balls and play nine holes with Mark O'Meara.

"He hit the ball pretty good today," O'Meara said. "He's been practicing the last three or four weeks. He's good to go. It's going to be a different thing for him. But if anyone can handle it, he can."

It's obvious this is the most anticipated Masters of all time because everyone wants to see how the #1 player in the world will react during his comeback appearance.

AP Photo / Charlie Riedel

Tiger preparing for Masters at Augusta

Tiger Woods was practicing at Augusta on Monday preparing for his return at the Masters which starts April 8th.

He addressed a few issues in two interviews Sunday.

On how he will do at Augusta. "I know how to play the golf course and that helps a lot," he said. "I've just got to play it. I'm excited to get back and play. I'm excited to get to see the guys again. I really miss a lot of my friends out there. I miss competing."

As for how the fans will react to him when he returns. "I'm a little nervous about that to be honest with you," he said. "It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there. But also hope they clap for birdies, too."

PGA professionals John Cook and Arjun Atwal played with Woods recently and both had good things to say about the state of his game. "I don't see anyone that hits the ball like he does," said Cook. " As far as ball-striking goes, if he takes that up there, it's vintage."

"He's hitting it just fine," Atwal said at Isleworth. "He's hitting it longer than before. There is no doubt."