TAKE THE SHOT: David Toms was the last player to tee off in the first round and played the last several holes as daylight faded.

The calm conditions worked out well - he's one shot off the lead after a 2-under 70.

"They were out there cleaning up trash, picking up stuff, mowing the grass. We were having to tell people to stand still as I was putting out," said Toms, who has missed the past three Masters Tournament cuts.

In the twilight at No. 15, Toms got what he said might be his biggest break at Augusta National. After flying the green on his third shot, Toms faced a difficult chip, which he ran well past the hole toward the pond. He made a very long par putt to stay at 2-under.

"You have to have a shot or two to make a good round like that at a major," Toms said, "and that was one of them."

PRICELESS: Englishman David Howell, who has placed in the top 20 in his two previous Masters appearances, enters today one shot off the lead after a 70 on Thursday, which included an eagle at the par-5 15th.

"I'm going to be teeing off in a major one shot off the lead in the morning. That's something you can't buy," he said. "You can only earn that, put yourself in those situations."

A CONFIDENT CLARK: Tim Clark seems to like the Masters these days. He finished second last year after a 3-under 69 in the final round, and he opened Thursday with 1-under 71.

The South African and N.C. State product made two birdies, a bogey and 15 pars.

"Last year gave me a lot more confidence," he said. "I learned consistent rounds can keep you in with a chance on Sunday."

ON TOP FOR A WHILE: First-timer J.J. Henry found himself in the lead at the Masters for a while. He birdied No. 18 to finish at 1-under.

"No matter what happens the rest of the way, at least I can always say I was leading the Masters," Henry said. "I really just like the fact that I finished under par."

BRIGHT NEW BEEM: 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem is in the fifth and final year of his exemption into the Masters. After a lull, it appears his game is returning. He posted 1-under 71 in Thursday's opening round.

"For a long time I was trying to put Band-Aids on my game and get from one week to another and hopefully make a nice check here and there," he said. "I took three weeks in the off-season and went snowboarding, and didn't touch a golf club. That time away really lit the fire."

FROM ROUGH TO MARBLE: Zach Johnson, who is in contention after 1-under 71, said this week is all about perspective.

"You appreciate it more," said Johnson, who spent six years on smaller tours before reaching the PGA Tour in 2004. "Sometimes on the mini-tours, the greens make it feel like you're putting through rough. Now you're putting on marble."

LOVELY ROUND: Davis Love III made bogey at No. 18 to finish at even par - a good score Thursday considering conditions.

Love said it will be interesting to see how the course is set up the rest of the week.

"They finally got a year where they can do whatever they want with the course, because there's not supposed to be any rain," he said.

Love once again is in contention.

"I obviously didn't shoot myself out of it. I didn't put myself behind the 8-ball. So that's about the best you can do in the first round. You just want to stay around, stay around and get one hot streak."

A DIFFICULT START: Ernie Els got off to a horrible start, playing the first two holes 3-over en route to 6-over 78.

"It was a difficult day, a very tough day," Els said. "But I played somewhat better on the back nine. Now I'll have to try to work myself back into things later in the week somehow."

WOOSIE WALKS: 1991 Masters winner Ian Woosnam withdrew before Thursday's first round, citing a back injury.