Eagle saves day for Woods as Rose rises at Masters

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

AUGUSTA, Georgia (AFP) — Tiger Woods opened his bid for a Grand Slam sweep with a steady par-72 as the Masters got underway on Thursday on a day when Justin Rose underlined his credentials as a potential winner.

The 27-year-old Englishman produced a scintillating opening round of 68, moving from two-over after four to four-under after 13 including four birdies in a row from the fifth.

That gave him the clubhouse lead one stroke clear of US journeyman Brian Bateman and two ahead of Ian Poulter, Sweden's Robert Karlsson and defending champion Zach Johnson - who rekindled his top form on returning to the scene of his upset win of last year.

Shot of the day went to the outspoken and at times outrageous Englishman Poulter who fired the 11th ace to be recorded at...