Star names feel heat in Augusta

Augusta National delivered a timely reminder to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods last night that when it comes to the Masters, there is no such thing as a foregone conclusion.

It is early days yet, of course but the early stages of yesterday’s opening round put any talk of a two-horse race between golf’s current two biggest personalities firmly on the back burner.

Having been hyped all week as the only show in town heading into the year’s first Major, McIlroy and Woods both endured uncomfortable starts to their first rounds despite enjoying what were expected to be the best of the day’s conditions, with thunderstorms forecast for late afternoon and early evening in the Augusta area.