ESPN.com - Golf Online - Masters 2001 - Conditions allowed for low scoring

By Andy North
Special to ESPN.com
Thursday, April 5

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The low scores posted in the first round came down to the softness of the greens. Players were able to control their shots from virtually anywhere on the golf course.


	Tiger Woods must take advantage of his 10:12 a.m. tee time on Friday.

The combination of the rain and the grass being a little longer made the course play a little easier.

The par-3s are where some of the leaders made their moves. They played easier than they normally do because there was no wind. With the winds predicted at 10 mph on Friday, that will throw the scores up by at least a shot.

I expect the players at 5-, 6- and 7-under won't have as much pressure on them. They won't be watching the leaderboard, worrying about the cut. Therefore, they won't have to take as many chances.

One key to watch for Friday is somebody making a move. Six of the last seven winners have shot 67 or better in the second round. Saturday is traditionally moving day, but Friday is the real moving day at The Masters.

Players who go out early have to take advantage of their tee times. The greens will be softer and slower in the morning, even if they don't put any water on them. Chris DiMarco did that today. We'll see if Tiger Woods can do it tomorrow with his early start.

DiMarco is a Florida guy, and he's been a solid player over the last five or six years.

He's had trouble putting a times and has gone to a very interesting putting grip. Most players have trouble breaking down in their putting stroke, but the way he's putting, he's less likely to break down. And that's what it's all about.

I don't know that I've ever seen a day more perfect to score than Thursday. The temperature was good, the greens were receptive because of rain the last couple of days. It was obvious from the outset that there were going to be a lot of good scores.

Some of the names on the leaderboard might be a surprise, but you're always going to see a lot of guys on the leaderboard early in the week that take advantage of the conditions.

But as the weather heats up and the greens dry out, expect to see the more experienced guys on top of the leaderboard. That's the way it usually works around The Masters.

Two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North is providing analysis for ESPN at The Masters.

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