Tiger Woods 4 shots behind Masters leader Im, Schwartzel, Higgo lead SA charge

Tiger Woods called on all of his hard-won stamina and the knowledge gleaned in five past triumphs to launch his boldest Masters bid yet with a one-under-par 71 at Augusta National on Thursday.

The 46-year-old superstar, whose February 2021 car crash left him with injuries so severe he feared he might lose his right leg, said just being able to play his first competitive round in 17 months was a victory.

But it might not be the only one he celebrates this week.

"I was able to finish up in the red," Woods said. "I'm right where I need to be."

Woods was tied for 10th, four shots behind South Korean leader Im Sung-jae, who launched his round with three straight birdies and finished with five birdies and an eagle in his five-under-par 67.

Australian Cameron Smith, like Im chasing a first major title, was a stroke back after a 68 that was all the more remarkable considering it was bookended by double bogeys at the first and 18th holes.

SA duo in the hunt

From a South African perspective, Charl Schwartzel and Garrick Higgo led the charge with even-par rounds of 72, leaving them five shots adrift of the leader in a share for 19th spot.

Erik van Rooyen and Christiaan Bezuidenhout shot one-over 73s to sit tied for 31st, while Louis Oosthuizen - who was paired with Woods - played an indifferent round of four-over 76 to sit tied for 70th spot.

67 - Im Sung-Jae (KOR)

68 - Cameron Smith (AUS)

69 - Dustin Johnson (USA), Scottie Scheffler (USA), Danny Willett (ENG), Joaquin Niemann (CHI)

70 - Corey Conners (CAN), Jason Kokrak (USA), Patrick Cantlay (USA)

71 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), Tiger Woods (USA), Kevin Na (USA), Webb Simpson (USA), Tony Finau (USA), Harold Varner III (USA), Daniel Berger (USA), Will Zalatoris (USA), Harry Higgs (USA)

72 - Lee