Composed ... Guan Tianlang wasn't overawed during the first round.Source:AFP
Chinese 14-year-old schoolboy Guan Tianlang fired a one-over par 73 in a historic Masters debut on Thursday, making him the lowest-scoring amateur player in the field at Augusta National.
Guan became the youngest player in Masters history when he teed off, breaking the previous age mark for the youngest Masters player set by Italy's Matteo Manassero at age 16 in 2010.
But once the moment had passed, Guan then showed he had the skill to cope with the pressure of the moment in his first Major tournament and the difficult course that devoured many of his rivals.
Guan opened with a bogey but responded with a birdie at the par-four third hole.
Bogeys at the seventh and ninth dropped him back, but Guan held his composure, going birdie-bogey to begin the back nine and again at 13 and 14.
At the 18th, Guan hit a hybrid club approach to 20 feet and sank the pressure-packed putt to finish his round to the applause and cheers of the spectators around the final green.
Attack ... Australia's golfers need to take more risks round Augusta.Source:AP
One of Australia's leading coaches says Augusta National has trapped our golfers in a web of unnecessary respect.
Dale Lynch, who has coached five Aussies to US PGA Tour wins, says our stars have fallen victim to playing too defensively around the Masters layout.
The Victorian says the obvious links between the Alister MacKenzie masterpiece and the courses he designed around Melbourne's sandbelt had led many Australian pros to try to play them in the same manner.
"And that's a big mistake," Lynch said as Adam Scott, Jason Day, John Senden and Marc Leishman try to break one of Australian sport's most baffling and painful droughts.
"A lot of our guys grow up playing tournaments around the sandbelt and they learn to play them with a lot of respect because there's almost a set way to play them.
"But Augusta, even though it's a MacKenzie course and you can see the same brilliance in design, is a place where you have to push to make birdies whenever you get the chance.
"You're going to make your share of bogeys around here because there are some seriously tough holes - but that just means you have to cash in when you can."
Lynch, whose charges include Australia's most recent major champion Geoff Ogilvy, said the 2006 US Open winner, who narrowly missed his eighth consecutive Masters start this week, was the perfect example of the philosophy.
"It's a real pity Geoff didn't make it because I think he's really figured out how to contest at Augusta," Lynch said of the Melburnian, who has never finished lower than 39th at the Masters and tied for fourth in 2011.
"He could play to finish in the top 40 and do that every year, no problem. But to win, you've got to be prepared to take the chances that will make you a lot more birdies."
Watch our video of the top 10 Masters moments and vote for your favourite here!
Adam Scott ... 'I see progress in everything I'm doing, so that's building the confidence.'Source: Chris O'Meara / AAP
Adam Scott is confident he's ready to claim Australian sport's holy grail at The Masters, declaring he holds no fear of Augusta National as it's come to feel like a "home track"'.
After two years of dedicated focus on major championships, Scott says he's closer than ever to a victory and he fully expects to be in contention on the back nine on Monday (EDT) in the quest for not only his first major, but Australia's first Masters green jacket.
Having frittered away a four-shot lead with four holes to play at last year's British Open some have doubts about the 32-year-old world No.7 when it comes to winning the big ones, but Scott said he's ready, and not afraid of what exacting Augusta National can throw at him.
He points to the last three trips down Magnolia Lane, when he finished tied 18th (2010), second (2011) and eighth (2012) respectively, as proof.
"I think I've developed a level of comfort with the golf course here now,'' said Scott.
"I come here and I'm not scared of hitting it in the wrong spot. You're a little more comfortable, definitely not as tentative. It's like a home track.''
Scott said the 2010 Masters marked a turning point for him.
"Just the way I played from tee to green I just felt comfortable on all the shots because there are a lot of intimidating shots out here.
"Obviously 2011 was great and last year I played solid as well so I feel like now I've got the experience and the knowledge of the golf course.''
After breaking down and limiting his schedule two years ago to focus on preparation for the majors, Scott has produced six top-15 finishes in the last eight including twice being runner-up.
Last year he was the most consistent golfer across all four majors and he cited small mistakes at critical times for his inability to snare one.
"It's always a fine line at the top end,'' Scott said.
"I think the way I'm going about it is showing that I'm consistently there. I'm more confident, absolutely.
"I see progress in everything I'm doing, so that's building the confidence.
"Ultimately I'd like to show that in a result and not just feel that in myself.
"I've never been closer. I'd be disappointed not to get a result here this week.''
Scott is one of just four Australians in the 93-man field vying for the green jacket.
Fellow Queenslanders Jason Day and John Senden return for the third and fourth time respectively while Victoria's Marc Leishman makes just his second appearance.
Tiger Woods remains favourite after winning three times already in 2013, searching for his 15th major but first since 2008.
