Bernhard Langer, who mastermind Europe's Ryder Cup victory in America last year, partners Sergio Garcia, who in a practice round yesterday served notice that he is in good shape by carding the first albatross two on the 575-yard par-five second, holing a two-iron shot from 253 yards.
"It was an amazing thing," said the Spaniard. "I hit a great shot but I thought it was like a yard and half right of the hole.
"All of a sudden the crowd went crazy. It's a shame it wasn't in the tournament, but still nice."
Selected 1st round, start times
(BST, US unless stated): 1.05pm Jonathan Kaye, David Howell (GB), Ted Purdy.
1.16 Ian Woosnam (GB), Kirk Triplett, Jeff Maggert. 1.38 Larry Mize, Paul Casey (GB), David Duval. 2.16 Craig Stadler, Joakim Haeggman (Swe), Ian Poulter (GB).
2.27 Fuzzy Zoeller, Padraig Harrington (Ire), Angel Cabrera (Arg). 2.38 Nick Faldo (GB), Peter Lonard (Aus), Tom Lehman.
3.38 Phil Mickelson, Ryan Moore, Stuart Appleby (Aus). 3.49 Vijay Singh (Fiji), Lee Westwood (GB), Chad Campbell.
4.00 Bernhard Langer (Ger), Sergio Garcia (Sp), Kenny Perry. 5.22 Ben Crenshaw, Graeme McDowell (GB), Tim Clark (SA).
6.00 Davis Love, Luke Donald (GB), Charles Howell. 6.33 Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke (GB), Carlos Franco (Par).
