Europeans among the early leaders in round 1 of the Masters

European players are making the most birdies – and eagles – and posted the best scores early in the first round of the Masters Tournament Thursday.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Paul Lawrie of Scotland have made two eagles each in surging near the top of the leaderboard. Stenson eagled both par-5 holes on the first nine (Nos. 2 and 8) and has added birdies at Nos. 5 and 10 to drop his score to 6-under par at one point before his first bogey of the day at No. 14.

Lawrie got started a bit later. He eagled the par-5 13th and 15th holes, using a hybrid for his second shot both times, and was the clubhouse leader at midafternoon after shooting a 3-under-par 69 that marked the first time in six Masters appearances that he broke 70. Louis Oosthuizen posted a 68 to take the clubhouse lead.

“I feel rested and ready to go,” said Lawrie, the 1999 British Open champion who recently recovered from bronchitis and has been pacing himself in practice sessions this week.

Lawrie followed his second eagle with a birdie at No. 17, but then bogeyed the 18th after missing the green long and failing to get up and down.

Ross Fisher of England posted a 71 but like Lawrie, bogeyed the 18th hole. Padraig Harrington of Ireland eagled No. 2 and went on to make two birdies and three bogeys to shoot 71. Martin Kaymer of Germany, who has missed the cut in all four of his previous Masters appearances, had five birdies and five bogeys on his way to an even-par 72.

The best early scores among American players came from Steve Stricker (71) and Stewart Cink (71).

Other European players are struggling. World No. 1 Luke Donald shot 2-over 38 on the first nine and Rory McIlroy, the 54-hole leader last year, double-bogeyed his first hole.