Leishman, Garcia share first round lead

The Masters Tournament features an international flair atop the leaderboard after today’s first round.

Australian Marc Leishman posted 6-under-par 66 early only to be matched by Spaniard Sergio Garcia in the afternoon.

Leishman, making his second Masters appearance, has posted just one top-10 on the PGA Tour this season. After opening with bogey, Leishman bounced back and shot 31 on the back nine.

The 33-year-old Garcia turned in a bogey-free performance. He matched his career low in the Masters set in the final round of the 2004 event.

Dustin Johnson is alone in third place, leading the Americans with 67. Johnson tied for first in driving distance, averaging 317.5 yards off the tee.

Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion who shared the 36-hole lead last year, continued his stellar play in Augusta. The 53-year-old Couples moved to 5-under after a birdie at No. 17 before stumbling on the final hole for 68 and a share of fourth place.

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, matched Couples at 68. Also at 68 are Masters first-timer David Lynn, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Americans Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar.

World No. 1 Tiger Woods shot 2-under par 70 and is tied for 13th place. The four-time Masters champion posted a pair of birdies on the front nine but shot 36 on the back.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy stood at 2-under through nine holes. He finished with 39 on the back for an opening round 73.

Phil Mickelson recovered from a 2-over start with four birdies over a five-hole stretch on the back nine. The three-time green jacket winner shot 71.

Defending Masters champion Bubba Watson recorded just one birdie en route to 75. Watson needed 35 putts for the round.