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This is some highlights of the first day of the Masters 2009. www.bbc.co.uk/sport

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FINAL LEADERBOARD:
(US unless stated)
+1 Zach Johnson
+3 Rory Sabbatini (SA), Retief Goosen (SA), Tiger Woods
+4 Jerry Kelly, Justin Rose (Eng)
+5 Padraig Harrington (Ire), Stuart Appleby (Aus)
+6 David Toms
+7 Paul Casey (Eng), Luke Donald (Eng), Vaughn Taylor

American Zach Johnson came through the pack on a dramatic final day at Augusta National to win his first major.

The 31-year-old from Iowa City carded a three-under-par 69 for a one-over total of 289 - the joint highest winning score in Masters history.

Two shots back were South African duo Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini, who also shot superb 69s, and Tiger Woods.

England’s Justin Rose finished in a tie for fifth on four over with the fast-finishing American Jerry Kelly.

Johnson, a committed Christian, said: “It is amazing what God can do. I believe in myself but every now and then you miss a putt and you can get down on yourself but I’ve had a lot of support.

“I tried to be non-emotional out there - that was one of my goals. I just tried to stay in the present and go through my processes.

“I knew I could win on the major scene. I felt everything was ready and I prepared very hard.”

The US Ryder Cup player might not be everybody’s idea of a Masters winner - he was available at 200-1 before the tournament - but nobody can claim he does not deserve his Green Jacket moment.

The scoring was a little easier in the fourth round but the tension was off the scale. And while a host of golf’s biggest names were losing their heads, the 56th-ranked Johnson kept his to land the £664,000 winner’s cheque and the most famous blazer in sport.

His delicate chip at the last to seal his win was the shot of a true champion, particularly as his nerves were rattling after a bogey at the 17th appeared to give Rose and Woods, playing behind him, a chink of light.

“Zach has been a very good player for a long time,” said Goosen, magnanimous in defeat. “He hits the ball straight, low and accurately - that’s what you need around here.”

……

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The Masters, Augusta
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD

S Appleby Aus +2

T Woods +3
J Rose Eng +3

P Harrington Ire +4
Z Johnson +4
V Taylor +4

B Dredge Wal +5

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For round 3 pairing’s click here - www.masters.org

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-2 B Wetterich, T Clark (SA)
-1 V Taylor
Level J Kelly, V Singh (Fij), Z Johnson, J Rose (Eng)
+1 D Howell (Eng), L Glover, B Dredge (Wal), P Harrington (Ire), S Appleby (Aus), G Ogilvy (Aus)

American Brett Wetterich emerged with his overnight lead intact after carding a 73 for two under at the halfway stage of the 2007 Masters at Augusta.

The 33-year-old, tied with Justin Rose after round one, set the early mark and was joined by South African Tim Clark, last year’s runner-up, who shot 71.

England’s Rose bogeyed 18 for a 75 to slip back to level par.

Tiger Woods fought his way to 74 for three over, while defending champion Phil Mickelson (73) ended five over.

“I turned a 90 into a 74,” said Woods. “Yesterday, I let a good round get away and today I salvaged a bad one.”

Wetterich, who played on the US Ryder Cup team at the K Club, is trying to become the first debutant Masters winner - and only the fourth in history - since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

I don’t feel like I shouldn’t be out here or shouldn’t be at the top of the leaderboard,” said Wetterich, who was runner-up to Woods in the tournament before the Masters.

“I wasn’t pushing the issue. I made a lot of great par putts and saves. I was trying not to get ahead of myself and I thought I did a pretty good job of that.”

……

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Click this link to find out the tee off times for round 2 at Augusta - www.Augusta.org

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Justin Rose carded a superb three-under 69 to claim a share
of the first-round lead at the 71st Masters.

The Masters, Augusta
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD LATEST

J Rose Eng -3
B Wetterich -3
D Howell Eng -2
D Toms -2
T Clark SA -1
V Taylor -1
Z Johnson -1
R Beem -1
JJ Henry -1
D Love III level
H Stenson Swe level
B Bryant level
T Herron level
JM Singh Ind level

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For the Round 1 & 2 Grouping’s at Augusta click here - www.masters.org

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For the 2007 Masters Tournament, Augusta Live will feature live coverage of the following events:

April 2 - 8, 2007: Live Video from the Practice Tee
Monday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. until dusk daily

April 2 - 8: Live Video from the Interview Room
Monday Afternoon through the Champion’s interview on Sunday

The tentative schedule for the Interview Room is as follows:
Monday, April 2
12:00 p.m. Gary Player
1:00 p.m. Geoff Ogilvy
2:00 p.m. Charles Howell III Tuesday, April 3
9:00 a.m. Vijay Singh
10:00 a.m. Padraig Harrington
11:00 a.m. Adam Scott
1:00 p.m. Tiger Woods
2:30 p.m. Phil Mickelson
3:30 p.m. Ernie Els
4:00 p.m. Jim Furyk Wednesday, April 4
10:30 a.m. Masters Major
Achievement Award Ceremony

April 4, 2007: Live Video and Interviews from the Par 3 Contest
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

April 5 - 8, 2007: Live Video from Amen Corner with Commentating
Thursday and Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

April 5 - 8, 2007: Masters Extra, live coverage of the Tournament for 1 hour before the television broadcast
Thursday and Friday 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Check it out at - www.masters.org

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