Last-chance qualifier Justin Rose and US debutante Brett Wetterich were unlikely leaders after Thursday's first round of the 71st Masters with Tiger Woods among many frustrated favorites in Georgia of United States.

England's Rose made only 20 putts in a three-under par 69 round to solve an Augusta National Golf Club course that is unsoftened by rain for the first time since 1997 and has never been firmer or faster since being lengthened in 2002.

World number one Woods searched in vain for answers, making bogeys at 17 and 18 to finish on one-over par 73 for a disappointing start to his bid for a 13th major title, third major crown in a row and fifth career green jacket.

Woods, whose first major victory came here a decade ago, has still never broken 70 in the opening round at the Masters. He birdied the par-5 13th and 15th holes but had a bogey at the par-4 seventh in addition to his poor finish.

Augusta National also sent reigning champion Phil Mickelson, US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy and South African Ernie Els stumbling off the pace. Ogilvy managed a 75, Mickelson and Scotsman Colin Montgomerie were on 76. Els slid to a 78.

Rose, trying to become Europe's first major champion since Scotsman Paul Lawrie won the 1999 British Open, missed seven of the past eight majors and qualified for 2007's first major only by ranking in last week's world top 50.