Breezy first day at Masters tests Zach Johnson’s patience

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Zach Johnson began The Masters on Thursday with an even-par 72 after grabbing a portion of the early lead at 2-under during his front nine.

So how did the constant breeze and 25-30 mile per hour gusts affect Johnson's round?

'It was tough, it is what it is right now,' Johnson said. 'Fast greens, gusty winds, commitment and being patient ... waiting for the proper wind at times to give you the opportunity is crucial. You also have to be practical about it and realistic.'

Johnson might be one of the Tour's best in the latter department, always having full awareness of his strengths and his limitations.

'I think it's crucial no matter where you are, but Augusta National, with a severe golf course like this, fair but severe golf course like this, (commitment is) of the utmost,' Johnson said.

On a day like this — with trying conditions — Johnson's surefire favorite word, 'patience,' was bound to come up.

'Patience is not getting too ahead of yourself, not looking at your scorecard, just doing what you're doing, playing your game, not trying to force the issue and eliminating big mistakes,' Johnson said.

Eliminating mistakes figures to be an important factor Friday if he's to get himself into a second green jacket.

A highlight of Thursday's opening round was certainly his 40-foot putt from the back of the green on the par-4 No. 7.

'Yeah, that was nice, especially (after) bogeying the 2nd hole,' Johnson said of his birdie on 7 that temporarily got him into a share of the early lead. 'The one at 7 is not one I'm trying to make, I'm trying to snuggle it up three or four feet.'

But he didn't snuggle it up there, he drained it. The unlikely birdie prompted a chicken dance from Johnson's caddie Damon Green.

'He doesn't get animated,' Johnson said. '(The chicken dance) is all you'll see.'

Johnson went out in 1-under 35 and came in on the back nine with a 1-over 37 on Thursday.

'I felt great out there,' Johnson said of his back nine. 'I hit good shots that didn't pan out, and then I hit some average shots that kind of cost me. Three‑putt on 11 and three‑putt on 14 and I felt like I hit good shots.'

Johnson's second round is scheduled for 11:33 a.m. Friday, and the forecast is calling for winds that will be slightly calmer than Thursday. Augusta National is already running fast. The added challenge of putting in the wind makes consistency tough.

'Anybody that plays well here putts well,' Johnson said.