DJ ralllying from tough start
Dustin Johnson got off to a rough start despite ideal scoring conditions with warm temperatures and no wind in Thursday's first round. He was 3 over with five bogeys and two birdies through 13 holes. But he two-putted for a birdie on the par-5 13th to get back down to 2 over, and stuck his second shot to 4 feet on the par-4 14th for a second birdie to get back to 1 over heading to the par-5 15th, where he hit a big drive and was poised for at least another birdie. But his second shot sailed into the crowd to the right of the green. He chipped to 20 feet and his fast downhill putt ran 5 feet past the hole, and he made par.
Johnson missed about a 3-foot putt on the 16th hole to make bogey, made par on the par-4 17th and missed a 10-foot birdie putt to settle for par on the par-4 18th and open the 2011 Masters with a 2-over 74.
Johnson probably needs a low round in Friday's second round to give him a chance to get in contention on the weekend.
TV coverage expanded
ESPN is broadcasting the first two rounds of the Masters, and coverage begins at 3 p.m. both today and Friday. The broadcasts feature one more hour of coverage today and Friday from 3-7:30 pm, and more 3-D coverage, which will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for all four rounds.
I got a look at the 3-D technology last year, and it truly brings the topography of Augusta National to the forefront. The course has never been done justice on TV, until now.
The final two rounds are on CBS, as they have been since 1956, though ESPN's 3-D coverage will continue through the weekend. Paul Azinger, Mike Tirico and Curtis Strange will be featured announcers on 3-D coverage.
