Tim Clark had a simple solution to counter the added length at Augusta National Golf Club. He played only one practice round in preparing for this week's Masters Tournament.

Retief Goosen signals an errant drive to the right after teeing off on No. 2. He carded 70 in the first round and is tied for fourth. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

"I didn't want to wear myself out before the week started," Clark said Thursday.

With fresh legs and a strong mental outlook, Clark attacked the longer course, and he is tied for fourth after opening with 2-under-par 70.

"We knew the course was going to play tough, so I didn't want to go out there and play too many rounds and get negative," Clark said. "I wanted to still come out here and enjoy my golf, and that's what I was able to do. I came out with a positive frame of mind."

Clark is tied with three others, including fellow South African Retief Goosen, and countryman Ernie Els is a shot behind them in a group of 11 golfers at 1 under.

Of the six South Africans in this week's tournament, the biggest surprise in the first round came from three-time champ Gary Player, who shot 79.

"When you get to 70, if I can break 80, I consider that a victory," the 70-year-old Player said.

The day started so well for Player that he spent an hour on the leaderboard after a birdie on No. 1.

Els and Goosen often are mentioned as favorites to win the tournament - Els has finished second twice and Goosen has two top-three finishes - but Clark seems to have the right attitude to excel in his fifth Masters appearance.

He insists he isn't going to worry about the course's added length and cosmetic changes, and he proved it in the first round.

Clark birdied the monstrous fourth hole, a 240-yard par 3. He bogeyed the longer No. 11 to drop to even par, but then eagled No. 13, which was unchanged from last year.

"You're hearing the guys say, 'Look how long this hole is, how long that hole is,'" Clark said. "Nothing you can do about it. So I just decided, play one round, come out here and see what I can do and try and enjoy it like I have every other year."

Els had the luxury of playing in the second-to-last group. He saw the scores on the board and said he played "it quite safe on his second shots."

"You don't want to play yourself out of it on the first day," he said. "I played conservative, and I'm happy with it."

Player hasn't made the cut at the Masters since 1998, and doesn't expect to do so this year. As expected, he struggled after his initial success with seven bogeys and a double bogey on No. 3.

Still, Player's day impressed his countrymen.

"It's a great score," Goosen said. "Like I said on Tuesday, he hit the ball as good as I've seen him hit it the times I've played with him. He probably played better than all of us. He hit the ball so well."

Reach Andy Johnston at (706) 208-2239.