Sergio Garcia has turned in a bogey-free round to claim a share of the Masters lead.
Garcia shot a 6-under 66 Thursday, leaving him tied with Marc Leishman and matching his best score at Augusta National.
The Masters' 2013 leaderboard features Tiger Woods, who teed off early Thursday at Augusta National. (AP Photo)
MASTERS UPDATE: Follow Friday's second-round action from Augusta here
This is a course that has never suited Garcia's game — especially his shaky putter. But he breezed around without a bogey on his card for the first time since 2002.
It's still a reach to think this might be the place where Garcia wins his first major championship. He's had only two top-10 finishes in 14 Masters appearances.
But the way he played in the opening round could mean a change in fortune.
Dustin Johnson is one stroke back at 67. Tiger Woods is just four shots off the lead after a 70.
Leishman, a 29-year-old Australian, shot a 6-under 66 Thursday for an early two-stroke lead over another unheralded player, England's David Lynn.
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Leishman missed the cut in 2010 and is playing in just his second Masters. He surged to the top of the leaderboard with four consecutive birdies on the back side, starting at No. 13. Leishman came into the first major of the year after missing two straight cuts.
Lynn was one of the early starters on an overcast day at Augusta National. He birdied four of five holes around the turn, shook off a short miss at No. 17 and rolled in a 15-footer at the final hole to secure his spot atop the leaderboard, at least for now.
Lynn was runner-up to Rory McIlroy at last year's PGA Championship in just his second major appearance.
Also Thursday, Jamie Donaldson of Wales carded a hole in one on the sixth hole at Augusta.
FIRST ROUND TV COVERAGE
by Sporting News
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