Solid start by Woods

Jim Furyk,2003 U.S. Open champion,was at three under after 17 holes while Englishman David Lynn who stunned the golfing world with a runner-up finish at last year8217;s PGA Championship in only his second major appearance,took advantage of relatively calm conditions at to fire a four-under-par 68.

It was Woods though who once again was the full focus of attention having regained the world number one spot from Rory McIlroy after three wins in the four stroke-play events he has played this year. He says he is fit and healthy and is enjoying what he calls true 8220;balance8221; in his life.

That combination of factors he has not enjoyed for the last few years and he is optimistic they will renew his march on golfing history with a 15th major title,nearly five years after his last win.

That would leave him just three majors short of achieving his life-long ambition of matching and eventually surpassing Jack Nicklaus8217; record of 18 major titles,the last of which came here in 1986 at the age of 46. A win on Sunday would also make it five Green Jackets for Woods his last was in 2005 just one behind the record six held by Nicklaus.

Two other stories have dominated the buildup to the opening round 8212; has Rory McIlroy finally got to grips with his new clubs and secondly how will 14-year-old Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang fare on his Masters debut.

McIlroy finally showed a clear sign that he is emerging from his four-month slump with a closing 66 for second place at the Texas Open last week,but it remains to be seen whether he can safely negotiate four rounds over a course that has hurt him badly before.

He has already set his sights high,saying that anything less than a win on Sunday would be a disappointment in what he says is his favorite tournament of the year.

The Ulsterman,who celebrates his 24th birthday next month,already has two major title wins to his credit both by eight strokes at the 2011 US Open and at last year8217;s PGA Championship. A win at Augusta National would leave him needing only a British Open title to complete the full set of majors.

Astonishingly,McIlroy,one of the youngest players in the 93-strong field,is 10 years older than Guan,who will become the youngest player in Masters history when he sets off on Thursday.

Short off the tee,the slightly built Chinese boy is expected to struggle over the mighty 7,435-yard Georgia layout and it remains to be seen whether his superb short game can bail him out. McIlroy was due out in the day8217;s penultimate grouping in mid-afternoon,meaning he could run into the stormy weather which was forecast for later in the day. Also out late was three-time former winner Phil Mickelson.

Vonn makes Augusta debut

The Olympic ski racing champion Lindsey Vonn waited at a table on the Augusta National Golf Club veranda next to the putting practice green Thursday morning as Tiger Woods completed his final warm-up swings before his 10:45 a.m. tee time.

Dressed in a long beige dress that hid a large black brace on her surgically reconstructed right knee,Vonn,who has been dating Woods for several months,said she planned to watch him play the first hole but would otherwise have to watch the tournament in the clubhouse. I cant really walk too much, Vonn said. And its so hilly here, she said.

Vonn said she arrived in Augusta a few days ago and was still getting acclimated to the pace and culture of a golf tournament. Very different from a ski race, she said with a smile.

Asked if she had been to the Masters before,she answered: Me? No way. But its beautiful here. Very green, she said.

With her right leg up occasionally as she sat on the veranda,Vonn,who also wore a wide-brimmed straw hat,said the rehab of her knee is on schedule. Accompanied by her physical therapist,she is working out frequently at a gym in Augusta. Im looking forward to the tournament, she said. Ill be here every day to the end.