Outlook sunny, with scores running high

The authorities at Augusta National envisaged warm sunny weather and fast-running fairways when they took the radical decision two years ago to remodel the course and make it a suitable test for the modern, power generation.

Instead, they got the Law of Sod, and two of the wettest Masters tournaments in living memory.

This year, there is the promise of a Masters in the true spirit of the event.

Martha Burk, protester-in-chief about Augusta's men-only membership policy - last year's other damp squib - is nowhere to be seen and the weather forecast is set fair.

Yesterday's early arrivals are predicting some fun and games. American Brad Faxon said: 'People think if it's wet and long it plays tough and in a way they were proved right last year. But at least the ball stays on the fairways and greens. If it stays as firm as this it will be positively ungodly.'

Former champion Mark O'Meara agreed. 'The highest winning score in Masters history is 289 and we might see something higher than that,' he said.