Gallacher breaks par on debut

Stephen Gallacher made a highly creditable one under par 71 on his Masters debut, adding his name to the list of first-timers who have broken par on the opening day.

The Scot had been in outright second when he birdied the ninth to reach the turn in 33, but a hat-trick of bogeys from the 10th halted his charge. However the 39-year-old birdied the 15th to get back into the red figures for the day.

“It's a special place, one in a million place,” said Gallacher. “Just it's hard to sort of just get that out of the way and just concentrate on the golf.”

Gallacher is one of five European Tour Members making their debuts among 24 first timers, the most in the history of the Masters. Only the inaugural winner Bob Goalby, Gene Sarazan, the second winner and Fuzzy Zoeller, the 1979 Champion, have won on their first appearance.

As to why so many might be under par on the opening day, Gallacher quipped: “Maybe no bad memories.”