This is why these boys earn the big bucks.

Delicate touches from both Spieth and Fowler with wedge put them within striking distance of saving par on the first...

Sergio Garcia shapes the body left slightly and cuts the drive with power aplenty. "A gem", says Ken Brown on BBC Two.

Justin Rose also found the fairway smoothly. It's on. A reminder, the final pairing has spawned the champion in 22 of the last 27 Masters tournaments.

Tweet tweet. Another birdie on Paul Casey's card at the second is followed by a near miss on the fourth. Two under for the Englishman, four shots of the lead.

Ryan Moore and Charley Hoffman nicely in the fairway on two where birdies are the aim on this par five.

To tee one though... our leaders are asked by an official: "are you ready to play golf?

I think they are.

2014 US Open champion Martin Kaymer is making a charge towards the top 10. He has just carded three birdies on the bounce at nine, 10 and 11. The German is three under for his round and one over overall.  

Rickie Fowler's progress towards the pin is hampered by the bunker ridge just in front of his ball. 

He needs to just get out and up there. Open stance, out-to-in swing, textbook. Short of the green but an easier shot in then playing partner Spieth.

Matt Wilkinson: Is Rory using a driver or a canon. He's over driven most of the par 4's on my home golf course there!!!  

Rory has driven a combined 780 yards from his last two drives at the second hole.

This fairway bunker on the right of the first is so big it has its own post-code.

First up is Spieth, his knock out hits the bank at the front of the green. That won't hold. The ball slides back down like a spider on an ice slope.

Let's see what Rickie Fowler can learn from that...

Both Ryan Moore and Charley Hoffman fail to take decent looks on one. Moore had nine feet for birdie but got the read wrong.

Rory McIlroy's challenge is wilting. He chunked an iron off the fourth tee into the middle of nowhere on the green. It left a tough two-putt for par and he got it wrong. Bogey time.

Is this the year young Rickie Fowler finally emulates Fred Couples? This beauty of a picture, courtesy of our friends at the PGA website,, external  shows a seven-year-old Fowler dressing up as the 1992 Masters champion.

This could become reality today.

Image source, Instagram

On the tee... Rickie Fowler! The world number eight has turned up wearing a pair of trousers similar to those given to 'guests' arriving at Alcatraz. All orange.

But his face turns a slight shade of crimson as he knocks his opening tee shot into the sand. 

Next up - Jordan Spieth. He laces his ball into the same hazard. Have fun in the sand, boys.

Well bowled, Shane. Well bowled indeed.

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Alistair Bruce-Ball
Radio 5 live commentator at Augusta

Consensus in the media centre seems to be that Jordan Spieth is the man to beat today, and certainly his fellow players have picked him out as the main threat.

It is interesting that he has that aura considering his meltdown at the par-three 12th last year when he had the tournament in the bag. 

He's also made a 9 at the 15th in the first round this year so he's not infallible.

Listen to BBC radio 5 live commentary from 20:00 BST.

Jordan Spieth, talking to BBC Sport:  "In order to win this tournament you have to play to win. In other places you can back off and cruise. In 2015 I had that situation on 13 where I went for it and kept the lead strong. Those were the moments people who win this tournmament have on a Sunday. 

"I would know as well as anyone that anything can happen on a Sunday. Patience is key."

Image source, .

Poor putting like he's just shown on two is arguably why Westy has not converted one of his chances over the years. He's just lipped out a three footer for birdie. Can't make mistakes like that today, it just can't happen. The par fives are where scores are begging to be made.

Image source, Reuters

Big fan of Australian amateur Curtis Luck's fashion. Think Perth surf vibes. Hipster beard, hair in a bun, a penchant for polka dot fleeces and flowery shirts. Bet he loves the Perth indie-psych music scene.

His golf ain't bad either. The 20-year-old Augusta debutant has shown plenty of glimpses of his ability this week. A name to watch in the future.

Ryan Moore - what a story it would be if he won given he lost his grandmother in the week. He goes at the pin from 159 yards away on the first and it's good, opens up a cracking chance.

Thomas Pieters nudges home a lovely putt on two for his birdie. Mid-range, super weight. He's all in black today. The slimming colour makes this tall, skinny gent look like a ruler.

Image source, Getty Images

Cheryl Black: My dad met him in 1995 and shook his hand. My family teases him saying he must have cursed him as never won anything after that  

David Begg: Met/worked with him many times, & greatest memory has to be Seve holing at 18 at St Andrews in 1984 and punching the air.

As we've been saying, Seve Ballesteros would have been 60 today. We want to know your best memories of the great man. Did you meet him? Did he inspire you? What has he done for this sport?

Tweet #bbcgolf.

Lee Westwood is going all guns blazing on the par-five second. He slams through the ball in attempt to make the green in two... bunker.

Rory McIlroy in for par on three, a loose chip took birdie out of the equation.

And everyone wants a word with Ernie. Today was likely his last appearance here as his exemption which gets him entry into this event has now lapsed. Cheers Ernie, you've always served up quality.

Image source, Getty Images