Woods pars first hole after favourable bounce

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Four times champion Tiger Woods, helped by a favourable bounce off the tee, parred the opening hole in the U.S. Masters first round on Thursday.

On a calm, sun-drenched morning, the American world number one struck a tree with his drive at the par-four first, his ball ricocheting down into the rough left of the fairway.

From there, Woods hit his second shot to the right of the green, chipped eight feet past the hole and sank a tricky putt to save par.

Woods is overwhelming favourite to clinch his 14th major title at Augusta National Golf Club after winning nine times in 11 starts worldwide since last August.

Britain's Luke Donald set the early pace in the opening major of the year, moving to two-under-par with birdies at the par-five second and the par-four third.

Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter was among a group of nine bunched at one-under after reaching the turn in 35.

Level with Poulter were Americans Heath Slocum, after 13 holes, Justin Leonard (eight), Arron Oberholser (five) and defending champion Zach Johnson (three).

Also at one-under were Britain's Nick Dougherty (six), Ireland's British Open champion Padraig Harrington (two), twice winner Jose Maria Olabazal of Spain (four) and India's Jeev Milkha Singh (two).