England's Lynn makes impressive Masters debut

England's David Lynn, trying to become the first player to win the Masters in his first try since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, fired a four-under par 68 on Thursday to put himself into contention. Playing in only his third career major, the 39-year-old qualified for the Masters by finishing second to Rory McIlroy at last year's PGA Championship, even though it was a distant eight strokes off the pace. Lynn had played on the European Tour since 1996 and won his only tour title at the 2004 KLM Open. He fought to 98th in the world rankings to reach the PGA, where his runner-up effort helped him claim a spot on this year's US PGA Tour. "Being on the PGA Tour, it has been a new lease on life to my golf," Lynn said. "It has given me a second wind at the moment. Everything is new. It's like I've started my career again almost." Lynn was leading when he reached the clubhouse but was passed by Australian Marc Leishman, who opened with a 66. "It's not a bad thing to see your name up there leading the Masters and something you could always look back on, but there's a lot to be done for the rest of the week and hopefully I can keep my name up there. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to be there Sunday night, but deep down, I know that I've got performances in me that could put me there Sunday night." Known for his pranks, Lynn insists he will be on his best behavoir this week lest he run afoul of the green-jacketed members of Augusta National. "Have to be careful this week. I'd like to be able to come back," Lynn said. "I'm always opportunistic. When I see things I will do things sometimes. I just like to have fun. Normally my caddie is at the butt of most of my jokes." Lynn is a devoted supporter of English Premiership football side Wigan, a long-time relegation fight survivor that plays an FA Cup semi-final against Millwall on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. "Long way to go for both of us," Lynn said. "They're always a team that are propping up the bottom of the Premiership. They've survived for eight years so far. I would love to see them survive a ninth year. "If they can bring home an FA Cup that would be fantastic." Lynn opened with a birdie and closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies. After starting the back nine with a bogey, he began Amen Corner with back-to-back birdies, sinking a long putt at the par-3 12th, and birdied the par-5 15th as well before stumbling back with a bogey at 17. It was hardly an awestruck Augusta National debut for a man who had only a share of 53rd at the 2003 British Open to boast about in major appearances until last August when his breakthrough came. "I've always believed I could perform well. I just don't do it consistently enough and why I don't know," Lynn said. "I guess right time right place for me at the PGA and everything going right for me to put in a performance like that. "But you come out the other side with a bit more confidence to turn up at the Masters this week, to not get too carried away with the occasion." From: AFP