The Hlog

Masters Thursday: Zach Looked Good, Folks

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It's only 18 holes, not 72.

Co-leaders Trevor Immelman and Justin Rose shot 4-under 68, the immortal Brian Bateman had a 69. We know no more about how the 2008 Masters will turn out than we did yesterday, other than to say Woody "Aquaman" Austin (7-over 79) probably won't be swimming in Rae's Creek come Sunday.

But Zach Johnson's 70 was solid stuff, reminiscent of much of his work here last year in his triumph. He was fairways-and-greens.

While few ever go on putting rampages here, Johnson did make a lot of important putts to go with some that missed and cost him birdies.

Forget the 40-foot snake that curled in on No. 5. Johnson admitted that was lucky. It was very lucky. Had it not gone in, it might still be rolling.

No, Johnson's putts of true accomplishment included two 15-footers (his estimated distance, not mine) for birdies, an 8-footer to save par on 11, and a 4-footer on 17 to prevent a bogey from turning into his first double-bogey here since 2006.

Putting, normally a Johnson strength, has not been such for much of the 2008 season.

"I've put myself in positions at times to do some damage on the weekends and just didn't do it," Johnson said. "The reason has been my putter. It just wasn't on like it was, certainly last year, especially at the end of the year. "I remember in Tucson (at the World Match Play Championships), I lost in the first round and I flew to Dallas and met with my (putting) coach, Pat O'Brien. A few things were off, and some things I needed to pay attention to, and fortunately I'm not worrying about those things anymore."

A good thing it is, because as you may have heard, the greens at Augusta are more difficult than playing an oboe while on a unicycle.

OK, maybe the CBS boys never say that while speaking in their hushed, reverential tones about this tourney, but they know it's true.

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