Marc Leishman has potted four birdies in his opening six holes to rocket to the lead early in the opening round of the 85th Masters at Augusta National.
Leishman dropped birdie putts in the cup on the first, third, fourth and sixth holes to shoot to four-under and tied for the lead with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and American Webb Simpson.
The Victorian’s effort on the fourth hole was world class, coming from behind the green from about 15 metres with a big sweeping downhill putt.
Leishman, who finished fourth at the Masters in 2013 after posting the first-round lead, again scored from long range on the sixth, burying a 39-foot putt to put his name up in lights.
Matsuyama has negotiated 14 holes of his opening round as he looks to be the first Japanese player to win a golf major championship.
World No.39 Leishman is aiming to be just the second Australian to win a green jacket behind Adam Scott.
Simpson was four-under through 13 holes as he looks to add to his 2012 US Open triumph.
Defending champion and world No.1 Dustin Johnson was even par through his opening 12 holes after a bogey on the first.
Jason Day was looking good with an early birdie before dropping three shots in three holes as he made the turn.
The former world No.1 was four-over through 15 holes while Matt Jones is the first Australian in the clubhouse following a two-over-par 74.
Scott bogeyed the opening hole to be one-over while 2020 runner up Cameron Smith had just begun his round in the last group of the day.