AUGUSTA: Paul Casey seized the first-round clubhouse lead of the Masters on Thursday at rain-softened Augusta National while defending champion Tiger Woods showed the form to threaten for a 16th major title.
Casey, a 43-year-old Englishman chasing his first major title, fired a bogey-free seven-under par 65 — matching his career-low from 218 major rounds.
“I’ve put a lot of work in to play this golf course and it has paid off,” Casey said.
“You can stick the ball on the green and make the putt. I did a good job of leaving the ball on the right side of the hole and making the putt.”
Woods took full advantage of attackable conditions after three-quarters of an inch of rain and a storm delay of nearly three…