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Jamie Donaldson will be seeking greater consistency in the second round of his US Masters challenge on Friday.
The Welshman finished tied for 43rd place in Augusta after an opening round of 74, two over par, following an up and down first 18 holes.
Donaldson began well and was two under after five holes, but slipped back after a run of four bogeys in five holes around the turn.
He will begin his second round at 1.50pm (local time) on Friday in the company of Justin Rose – who is only three shots off the lead – and Daniel Berger.
The other Welshman in the field, former Masters champion Ian Woosnam, is back in 88th position after an opening round 10 over par.
Rose gambled with a change of technique and was rewarded with an opening 69.
After admitting he had lacked any “fireworks” so far this season, Rose switched to a claw putting grip for the first time and recorded six birdies and three bogeys to finish alongside fellow Englishman Paul Casey on 3-under.
Rose, who finished joint second last year with a 14-under-par total which has only been bettered six times in tournament history, said: “The putting grip was a big change for me.
“I have adopted the claw grip which is becoming more popular on Tour. I stumbled across it last week on my week off and it just felt too good to deny it. I second-guessed it a few times last week but it stayed true and I putted well today.
“It wasn’t a decision I took lightly. I have putted okay this year but I feel if I am going to win the Masters I am going to have to putt great. I just felt in practice that it could benefit me. It was a gamble but I felt it was one worth taking.”
Defending champion Jordan Spieth had set the early clubhouse target with a 66 despite the blustery conditions and Rose added: “I am surprised there were so many good scores today and I really didn’t see 6-under out there but Jordan has started where he left off — a bogey-free 66 today was very impressive.
“The forecast is similar for the next couple of days so it was nice to get a decent round when the course was somewhat softer because it’s going to be really tough over the next few days.
“A good start is a bonus – it’s a bad start that you don’t want. Even if your game isn’t clicking at a major, if you can get it round in around even par on the first day then you can have something to build on. To shoot in the 60s in the first round of the Masters is always a good start.”
