Fore, please -- 78th Masters running thread

They are trying to replace the tree, and at great expense. Just too small of a window for this year.

 

Looks like you're 2overpar today. Johnson and Cabrera both +6. They're both in contention--to get beat by Tom Watson and Sandy Lyle.

Meanwhile, Adam Scott definitely looking like a major threat. And one of the year's big winners is in the mix on day one-- Jimmy Walker.

 

Scores are surprisingly high given the weather conditions. PGA champ Jason Dufner took a 9 at the 13th hole; Dustin Johnson took a 7 at 15. Looks like the lead could be -4, with plenty of pursuers around -2 or -1.

 

Mickelson with two 7s on his card after hitting his approach shot on 15 into the water and taking double bogey.

 

Mickelson and Dustin Johnson both hit it in the water at 15 on shots that looked to be in the 75-yard range; 18 handicappers everywhere shouldn't feel so bad.

 

Holy shit, Bubba Watson is on freakin' fire.

Not only does he have four consecutive birdies -- and he's got three feet left for No. 5 -- but he's all over the stick. I'm not sure he's had to make a putt longer than 10 feet for any of them (OK, so I didn't see 14, but still).

 

Five in a row for Bubba. For the record, the Masters record for most consecutive birdies is seven. Bubba's not likely to match that with 17 and 18 coming up, but with the way he's hitting it, you never know.

 

Does anyone know what the galleries are like at Augusta? I know they normally aren't as large as the two Opens, but, man, everywhere I look there are tons of people: lining the fairway, around the greens, even on the tees.

 

Bubba finally hits a bad shot -- misses the green at 18. After he hit it, he shouted, "Mud ball!"

 

Dufner just needs to walk off the course when he gets back to No. 9. +10, including bogeys at 2 and 3.