PERRY REGROUPS: Even though some putts refused to go in the hole, Kenny Perry told himself to keep having fun. By the time his fortunes changed on the 10th hole, Perry had the momentum he needed to shoot an opening-round 68 on Thursday to put himself into a tie for sixth at the Masters Tournament. It matched Perry's best round here (he shot 68 in the second round in 2005). Perry hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation but said he couldn't get a putt to fall in his opening nine holes.

"It could have been a lot better," said Perry, who has not played in the Masters since 2005. "I let the front nine get away (including three-putting No. 9 for bogey). But it was a beautiful nine holes."

Perry began his charge by making birdie on the 495-yard, par-4 10th. He said he hit a 6-iron 187 yards to the pin, which was in a back-left position. He played the next eight holes 2-under.

"It was a fun day; I don't know if I was ever out of the fairway," Perry said.

LEFTY STRUGGLES: Two-time champion Phil Mickelson blamed poor driving for his struggles after shooting 1-over 73 on a day he called the course "as easy as I've seen it."

Mickelson bogeyed the opening hole and did not make a birdie after his 3 on No. 5. He bogeyed Nos. 11 and 16 and said he was never able to attack the final-nine par-5's because he couldn't control his tee shots.

"I put it in just terrible spots all day," he said. "I let a potential good course, because of the scoring conditions, go because I just hit it in the wrong spots."

Mickelson is tied for 51st after the first round. He has finished in the top 10 here nine of the past 10 years.

FORMER CHAMP AT 2-UNDER: With the winds swirling around the course early in the week, plenty of folks were pointing at 2007 champion Zach Johnson as a potential challenger this week. After all, his win two years ago took place in blustery conditions.

The winds refused to whistle around the course most of Thursday, but Johnson was still able to put himself into position to challenge for his second green jacket. He birdied two of his first three holes and shot even-par the rest of the way for an opening-round 70. He's tied for 20th.

"It was more positives than anything for me," Johnson said. "All in all, a lot of opportunities, and you can't win it on Thursday, so I think I put myself in position for having a good (second round.)

AUSSIE CLOSES STRONG: Aaron Baddeley, who has missed the cut in three of his four Masters, was one of eight players who shot 68 on Thursday.

It was a roller-coaster final nine holes for Baddeley, who did not make a par over his final five holes, finishing birdie, birdie, bogey, birdie, birdie. His round included six birdies, two bogeys and 10 pars.

"It was just a matter of being comfortable out there and continuing to be comfortable with a couple of changes and just trusting it," he said.

EVERYTHING CLICKING FOR HAMILTON: Todd Hamilton has struggled in major championships since he was the surprise winner of the 2004 British Open.

Eligible for the Masters for the last time this year thanks to that victory, Hamilton played himself into contention by opening with 68. He had never broken 70 here. After he bogeyed the par-3 12th, he closed with three birdies on the final six holes.

"Everything clicked a little bit, and it's nice to get off to a great start," Hamilton said.

STRONG SHOWING FOR SANDY: Former champion Sandy Lyle, who has missed the cut in six of his past nine Masters, shot even-par 72. It was a welcome result for a player who hasn't broken 70 in his past 48 rounds here, especially because he had to regroup after posting a 6 on the par-4 opening hole.

"That was a bit of a kick, and then (I) just sort of hung in there and made some birdies," he said.

Lyle, who won the tournament in 1988, birdied five holes, including the par-4 No. 14. His approach shot caught the slope in the middle of the green, then trickled within four feet. Lyle, 51, placed his putter in the cup as if the putt were short enough to be conceded.

"It's about as nice as I've had for a long time," he said afterward.

Lyle was one of two former champions over age 50 to post one of their better recent rounds. Two-time champion Ben Crenshaw, 57, shot 73, his best round in his past eight rounds.

TEEN ANGST: None of the three teenagers in this week's field was able to break par in the opening round.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, was the best of the heralded trio, shooting even-par 72. Ryo Ishikawa, the Japanese teen who received a special foreign invitation, carded 1-over 73. Amateur Danny Lee, who will turn pro after the Masters, shot 2-over 74.