Someone bring the bucket and spade. Ian Poulter is eating sand after his approach shot on 10 - actually a better proposition than playing from the hill from which it plopped in. 

Playing partner Bubba Watson, with his opposite swing to the right-handed Englishman, swirls one in from the other side. It's good! About 10 feet from birdie town. 

A tough pin, right on the front, on this 495-yard par four. Only eight birdies so far today...

Image source, Reuters

Jordan Spieth, the current leader, after his six under par round speaking to Sky Sports: "It is one of better rounds I have ever shot. I didn’t feel I had good control with my irons but I put a couple of good ones on it and the ones I did miss were in areas I was able to make par. My short game was good, I made a lot of putts in windy conditions.

"Augusta is a place I feel comfortable. I feel you need imagination and you feel like with rich history here it excites you. I was able to settle down quicker than in past years."

A mini punch of the air. Fist clenched, Phil Mickelson downs a putt on 16 for birdie and level par. Can Justin Rose move to four under after 15. It's downhill and nasty from around 6ft. Tickles it, tickles it, tickles it perfectly.

Jason Day has his eyes set on Jordan Spieth. Anyone else already seeing the Sunday shootout?

Day has around 10ft left for birdie on eight, it's a par five, you have to nail the par fives, he does that.

Walks off the green looking as chilled as a sleeping baby.

Wonder if Rory has asked the legendary Manchester United manager for a few words of wisdom? Fergie gave motivational speech to the Europe's winning Ryder Cup team a couple of years ago. Not a hairdryer in sight...

Lee Westwood is just behind that leaderboard below, peering over the fence and hoping to hop over tomorrow.

The Englishman, still seeking that pesky first Major, has carded a one-under round of 71.

"It is tough out there, it is pretty windy. We had a bit of rain last night but it is still firm," he tells Sky Sports. 

"I drove well, hit irons well and putted nicely so I am really pleased with the way I played, today you can let ball get away from you but even when I missed greens I gave myself a chance.

"Hole 12 is brutal today, the wind is swirling around. There is going to be some fun and games on there this afternoon I am sure."

Just take a look at this leaderboard. Defending champ? Tick. World number one? Tick. Former Green Jacket winner? Tick. That's not to mention other Major winners and Ryder Cup heroes. Oh, and Scott Piercy. Fit for a Sunday afternoon...

-6: Spieth (After 18),

-4: Lowry (5)

-3: Casey (18), Day (7), Rose (14) 

-2: B Watson (9), Piercy (7), Poulter (9).

Follow these links for tee-off times and a full leaderboard.

Michael y70: I love the The Masters because it made me feel summer was coming and the golf season had really started.

Finish this sentence. "I love The Masters because..." Remember to use #bbcgolf.

Phil Mickelson wears a sleeveless number over a polo shirt as he surveys the 16th, a tee box, water and the green in the distance.

Lefty takes a swing and lands the ball nicely... it works down near the hole and he will have around 15ft to get back to level par.

It is hard to believe that Fiji has produced more Masters winners than Ireland.

Image source, Google

The small island country, boasting a population of 800,000, is the birth place of Vijay Singh, winner in 2000.

So if this remote part of the world can yield a winner, why can't Ireland? Shane Lowry this week anyone?

Lowry missed the cut here on his debut last year but picked up a huge win at the Bridgestone Invitational late in the season - holding off a challenge from Bubba Watson no less.

What a start he has made, four birdies in four holes, the latest courtesy of a 15ft putt which breaks from right to left. Get in there Shane.

Is 'Rory Slam' a banned phrase this weekend? McIlroy, of course, is aiming to become the sixth man to complete a clean sweep of golf's four majors. Not a swashbuckling start from the Northern Irishman. A couple of jabs here and there, but he's just taken one where it hurts on the fourth. His par putt drifts past the hole, knocking in the bogey to go back level. 

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

He finishes in style, gliding a 10 footer into the middle of the cup with a minimum of fuss. After last year's procession, a neutral fan could have hoped Jordan Spieth got off to a stuttering start this time around.

Not a chance, no bogeys, six birdies, pure class.

All aboard the good ship Jason Day! It's a steady sail at the moment, this sturdy Aussie navigating these choppy Augusta waters with a couple of back-to-back pars. The world number one is perfectly placed, just a couple adrift of early leader Jordan Spieth...

Image source, EPA

Justin Rose is going about his business nicely as he smashes one 298 yards up the 14th fairway. What's your longest drive? Can you lace one that far?

Rose was of course tied for second here last year and he's shown his expertise today, carding three birdies in his last five holes.

What about his compatriot Ian Poulter? He has around 20ft for birdie on the par-five eighth. It's a slippery one but it's in, super stuff from Poulter.

-5: Spieth (After 17),

-3: Casey (17), Snedeker (9),Day (6), Rose (13) B Watson (7), Lowry (4).

-2: Piercy (5), Poulter (8).

Selected others: -1: Westwood (18),Fitzpatrick (10), McIlroy (2), Willett (4).

Par:  Stenson (14).+1: McDowell (3), Mickelson (14) +2: Garcia (4), Scott (12) Clarke(10), +6: Woosnam (11) Els (6). +8: Fowler (18)

Follow these links for tee-off times and a full leaderboard.

Joining Tom Watson back inside shortly will be Jordan Spieth and Paul Casey. Those two are just wandering over to the 18th tee.

Spieth is still set to take the clubhouse lead, helped by Casey immediately falling back into that stellar pack on -3 with a bogey on the par-four 17th. 

But it could - and perhaps should - have been even better! The defending champion almost sees his 164-yard second disappear down the drain.

But then he loses his head on the green, needing two stabs from inside three feet to hold.

Image source, AP

Sze-Ming Lim: I love #themasters, external because the beautiful golf shots that happen on this magical course will be talked about for decades to come.

Paul Sweeney: I love #TheMasters, external because it makes thinks of the late great Seve Ballesteros #legend

Jon Salinger I love the #TheMasters, external because I wish that all golf courses looked like Augusta.

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