Augusta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Defending champion Bubba Watson opened with a 1-under 71 in Thursday's opening round at the Masters.
Watson, who also won the 2012 Masters title, mixed four birdies and three bogeys in his opening round.
The left-hander reached the green in two at the par-5 second and 2-putted for birdie. Watson poured in a 20-footer for birdie at No. 5, before stumbling to a 3-putt bogey at the sixth.
Watson moved back to minus-2 with another 2-putt birdie at the par-5 eighth. He gave that back at the 11th, where he needed three putts to get down from 49 feet out.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner 2-putted for birdie on the third straight par-5, No. 13, to move back to 2-under par.
After four pars in a row, Watson's tee shot at the 18th hit a tree and stopped well back in the fairway. His second missed the green to the left and he chipped to 19 feet.
Two putts later, Watson walked off with a closing bogey to end his round four strokes behind early leaders Justin Rose, who played alongside Watson, and Charley Hoffman, who was in the first group out.
Among those Watson was tied with was his 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson, who also carded four birdies and three bogeys in the opening round.
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