WITH two US chart-topping albums, a Grammy award and a stellar solo career to his name, Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish has achieved a lot in 45 years.

AUGUSTA National's revamped opening hole proved no friend of the Irish trio Brian McElhinney, Pádraig Harrington and especially Paul McGinley in yesterday's first round of the Masters.

AUGUSTA National have left themselves open to criticism on many fronts over the years, most recently in 2003 when becoming involved in an infamous row over their discrimination against women.