Charley Hoffman putts during round one of the Masters. The 40-year-old Hoffman, world number 52, made nine birdies to tame the fiendish Augusta National course and finish on seven under par, four shots clear of compatriot William McGirt and five ahead of England's Lee Westwood. Hoffman, who has won four PGA Tour titles, played a flawless back nine to forge ahead of world number 53 McGirt, who has only one Tour victory to his name. Former world number one Westwood, joint runner-up last year, made five successive birdies late in his round to soar into contention to win a long-awaited first major. The bright weather was a relief for organisers, who were forced to call off the Masters Par 3 contest on Wednesday for the first time ever as heavy rain and storms buffeted the course.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 06, 2017 23:37 UTC