Campbell Challenges Course Record at Masters

The New York Times ^ | April 9, 2009 | Bill Pennington

[St. Louis Conservative]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Just before 8 a.m. Thursday, Arnold Palmer lashed a hearty drive down the right side of the first fairway, keeping alive a tradition of honorary starters that dates to 1963 at the Augusta National Golf Club. Palmer no longer competes in the Masters tournament but he clearly understood the symbolic role of his appearance, pumping his fist on the tee to elicit the first roar from the large gallery gathered in the cool mist at America’s most famed golf course.

Another golfer who has been known to pump a first or two at Augusta, Tiger Woods, teed off in the early afternoon and finished with a two-under-par 70. Woods, who took nine months off to rehabilitate his left knee and played in only three tournaments before this week, is seeking his fifth green jacket.

On a day that was set up perfectly for low scores, Chad Campbell challenged the course record. Campbell began his round with five consecutive birdies and was at nine under heading to the final two holes, one birdie away from tying the single-round mark of 63 set by Nick Price in 1986 and equaled by Greg Norman in 1996. But Campbell bogeyed the final two holes and had to content himself with a seven-under 65 that gave him the first-round lead.

“I’m definitely happy with the round I played, but I’m a little upset with the way I finished,” Campbell said.

Jim Furyk, the winner of the 2003 United States Open, was at six-under 66 after four birdies on the final five holes. Hunter Mahan joined him at 66.

[Shady]

Chad Campbell is the antitheses of Tiger...except for the drive to win. I want these two to have the match of a lifetime together Sunday at the National. WOW! And I want that anti social dolt Phil to miss the cut.