Golf:Darren Clarke is still hoping to be fit enough to take part in this week's US Masters after walking the course at Augusta National on the first practice day. Clarke suffered a groin injury in the second round of the Houston Open on Friday and has been receiving treatment since missing the halfway cut there.

Clarke’s caddy, Phil Morbey, revealed that the Ulsterman walked the course without hitting any shots and said that he was fully expecting the British Open champion at the course on Tuesday. This will be Clarke’s first Masters appearance since 2007.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, entered into the spirit of Monday at the Masters today — but he will hope to be more successful when the tournament starts. The opening major of the golf season is full of its own traditions. A green jacket for the winner, a par-three competition on the eve of the event and an annual champions dinner are just three of them.

The players are also encouraged by the crowd to try to hit the green at the short 16th not by normal means, but by skimming balls across the lake. Woods and 1998 champion Mark O’Meara were amongst the first to try, but they both failed to make it back onto dry land and decided not to give it another go.

As is his custom, the four-time winner was out early and, having played the course on Sunday as well, limited himself to just the back nine before heading into the Augusta National clubhouse.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer gave the fans what they really came to see when his skimmed shot at the 16th not just ended on the green, but in the hole. He will be hoping it is a sign of things to come. On four previous trips to the Masters, Kaymer has missed the cut every time — and crashed out last year as world number one.