High-percentage approach helps Clark go low

Tim Clark birdied all four of the par 5s on Thursday, thanks to his strategy of not even thinking about eagles. He laid up on every one, then rode his vaunted short game to a 68 that has him firmly in contention.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The way Tim Clark sees it, he just played “sensible” golf on Thursday.

The strategy paid off, too. That round of 68 was a career-low for Clark at Augusta National and left the South African firmly entrenched among the leaders during the first round of the Masters.

Clark, who played in the second group of the day, birdied all four of the par 5s, laying up on all four -- a la 2007 champion Zach Johnson -- and relying on precise wedge shots to set the stage. His birdie putts were all inside 8 feet.

“(Augusta National) certainly didn't play to its full length,” Clark said. “ It did not allow me to go for any par 5s, but my wedges have been feeling pretty good lately, and I was able to make four birdies on the par 5s, which is key.

“With the course playing short and the greens being soft, I was pretty much able to keep it on every green. Years gone by, I've had a hard time stopping it from going over the back of the green. Today, I felt like it was a lot easier to score.”

Clark’s stellar short game should come as no surprise. He won the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday -- staking his first wedge to 11 inches at the first hole and making an ace on the ninth hole to shoot 22. No one has won that event and gone on to win the Masters.

“That's just my game really, if you've watched me,” said the good-natured Clark, who ranks 132nd in driving distance. “I just wish we would play a few PGA TOUR events on par-3 courses, because I would have a chance.”

Clark may still be looking for this first PGA TOUR win, but he did win the Australian Open late last year. He made headlines earlier this year, too, when he ousted Tiger Woods in the second round of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

So which was the bigger confidence builder?

“Well, my confidence was shattered the next day after beating Tiger by getting beaten,” Clark said, smiling. “That was a big experience, playing Tiger. I felt like I was under a lot more pressure playing Tiger than I was when I won the Australian Open. I shot a low round on Sunday and came from way behind to win.

“Playing Tiger, you know you are under the microscope, and you know that even the day before going out there. Again, I went with the attitude of try and enjoy it. If you're out there thinking too much about that, you are going to get beaten up.”

Clark, who held a share of the second-round lead at the 2007 Masters and was solo second to Phil Mickelson in 2006, has brought the same approach with him this week.

“You can either go one way, come and stress about what you're going to do or just come and enjoy it,” Clark said. “It really allowed me to stay relaxed out there, and I was not worried about what I was shooting.

“Just taking it one shot at a time and smelling the roses, as they say.”

The 33-year-old used to get up at 2 a.m. to watch the Masters telecast back home in South Africa. His most vivid memory is of the 1986 tournament, when Jack Nicklaus turned back the clock and won at the age of 46.

Clark made his Masters debut in 1998 after he won the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Despite shooting 80-78, he still calls that experience the “golfing highlight” of his career to date.

“It's quite a nerve-wracking experience and it's just a great honor,” said Clark, who was attending North Carolina State at the time. “At the time, you're seeing all of your heroes playing in the tournament and you get to meet them. The guys are always very friendly towards the amateurs and give you advice it. (It) was a great experience.”

Clark knows first-hand how Augusta National can fight back. After sharing the lead at the midway point in 2007, he shot 80 on Saturday. So he certainly knows better than to get ahead of himself and starting thinking about exacting revenge.

“It's one of those things, it's almost easier to win this tournament sort of coming from behind and sort of sneaking up there on Sunday,” Clark said. “And now, I think if the course plays like it does today, that's probably going to happen on Sunday.

“Someone is going to be able to come out and shoot one of those great rounds that we are used to seeing.”

Clark certainly saw some good golf played by his good friend and countryman Trevor Immelman as he won his first major last year. Clark had missed the cut, but he stayed in Augusta and was part of the celebration at Immelman’s house that Sunday.

“It’s great to see someone like that have their dreams come true,” Clark said. “I felt like coming in second a couple of years has given me some sort of inspiration, too, to feel like I have a chance to win.”