Woods escapes putting rule query

Woods has not broken par in round one of the Masters since 2002

Tiger Woods endured several unfortunate incidents as he struggled to two over after 12 holes at Augusta.

Having bogeyed the 11th after hooking his drive, Woods then watched in horror as his 15-foot eagle putt on the 13th slid off the green into Rae's Creek.

Things got worse on the 14th when he was questioned by officials over whether he had taken an illegal stance while tapping in his putt.

But tournament chairman Will Nicholson said the video replay was inconclusive.

The ruling in question concerned "standing astride on the line of putt".

The rule states that a player "must not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride or with either foot touching the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball".

England's Brian Davis was disqualified from an event in Germany for breaking the rule and signing his card before the infringement came to light.

Woods, who resumes on Friday six shots behind course leader Chris DiMarco, has not broken par in the first round of the Masters since he won in 2002.

He was not alone in his misery on the Augusta greens.

Paul Casey, who tied for sixth last year in his Masters debut, took a 10 at the 13th and shot 79.

While David Toms stood over a 20-foot putt on the 14th hole until a gust blew his ball down the slope and into the fairway.

He made a double bogey, and shot 41 on his outward nine.

Billy Casper, the 73-year-old former champion, hit five balls into the water at the par-three 16th on his way to an embarrassing 14 and finished with the tournament's worst-ever score, 106.