Masters 2012: day one at Augusta – in pictures

Golf fans are up early to bagsy a good spot from which to watch the action on the first day of the Masters Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

As history dictates, the tournament is started by three ceremonial tee-shots. This year they will be hit by Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus Photograph: Tannen Maury/EPA

Palmer seems mighty pleased with his shot and celebrates with Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Player give his all in his shot Photograph: Chris O'Meara/AP

Finally it's the turn of The Golden Bear to fire one down the fairway Photograph: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The first hole is a 445-yard par four. But it's far from a routine par four as the green drops off severely from right to left. Here, Padraig Harrington, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink and their caddies walk down the first fairway - where a huge crowd has gathered - in search of their balls Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Anders Hansen assesses his options in the shadows of the early morning sun Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Henrik Stenson lets rip with an approach shot Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP

All of the players will be thankful that the storms have cleared. The groundsmen at Augusta have done a fine job of getting the course back into shape. The second green looks as immaculate as ever Photograph: Matt Slocum/AP

However, the torrential rain has increased the chance of flying divots as Jose Maria Olazabal finds out on the first. The Spaniard manages to par the first but ends up three over par by the end of the round Photograph: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Justin Rose finds himself in the pine needles on the first but also manages to sink his ball in four shots. A consistent round with only one bogey and one birdie leaves him on par after 18 holes Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

"Give 'ere, it's my turn with the Errol Flynns" Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Olazabal walks down the huge second fairway with his caddie Alejandro Larrazabal. It's a whopping 575-yard par five hole Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

Tiger Woods, whose rivalry with Rory McIlroy has been the talking point going into this Masters, examines his options after taking a drop in the rough on the second. Woods isn't in trouble for long, though, and comes away with a par Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

What's more, he manages four birdies in the opening ten holes - including one on this, the eighth - to put himself high up the leaderboard Photograph: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

McIlroy can't seem to find the fairway either. But unlike Woods he can't recover so easily and drops two shots on the opening hole. Looks like he's carrying on from where he left off last year. Remember his final-day meltdown in 2011? Hard to forget, isn't it? Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

The steady guidance of his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald helps McIlroy to overcome a tricky start. Birdies on the second, eighth and ninth draw him into contention Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Northern Irishman dinks a shot on the tenth green as he holes his ball for a par four Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

Stenson is (or rather, was) the man to beat. He was six under going into the final hole. But the Swede has to hit out of the gallery during a torrid conclusion as he scores eight on the par four 18th. Ouch Photograph: Chris O'Meara/AP

Paul Lawrie's back nine is pretty remarkable. He hits two eagles in three holes, then a birdie on this, the 17th, to reach four under. A bogey on the 18th takes the edge of his round, but he remains one of the early leaders among those who've completed their rounds Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

Lee Westwood wipes his face while standing on the 11th tee box. It's pretty balmy out there, despite the threat of rain Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Woods tugs his shot on the 15th, but again recovers. The 17th and 18th prove trickier and successive bogeys leave him on par at the end of his round Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

McIlroy completes the par three 12th without issue, but bogeys either side of it dent his scorecard. Luckily successive birdies on 17 and 18 leave him one under (and one ahead of Tiger) at the end of the first day Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

World number one Luke Donald chips onto the 18th green during a disappointing round which ends three over par Photograph: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Worse news is to come for the Englishman when it emerges that his scorecard is being investigated for an inaccuracy. It appears there's some confusion over whether he carded three shots or five shots on the fifth. He could potentially be thrown out of the tournament for it, but ultimately he's spared any blushes as the inaccuracy was in fact a smudge! 75 is his official score, in case there was any lingering doubt Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Westwood enjoys four straight birdies between holes five and eight. And further success on the back nine makes him the day's front runner at five under by the end of his round. A Brit is leading the Masters! How long will it last? Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images