Golf-Masters-Former winner Weir boosted by back nine charge

By Larry Fine

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 9 (Reuters) - Former champion Mike Weir used two Amen Corner holes as a launch pad to fire a four-under-par 68 in the U.S. Masters first round on Thursday.

The 2003 winner rolled in a seven-foot putt to birdie the par-three 12th before taking advantage of a fortunate bounce by ramming in a 10-foot eagle effort for a three at the next hole.

Weir then wrapped up his round by striking a six-iron to four feet at the 18th and converting his putt for a birdie three.

"I got a little lucky on 13," the Canadian told reporters about his four-iron approach from 214 yards. "It could easily have been a foot to the right and been in the water.

"I was on a side slope. The ball was below my feet and I expected it to go a little left and it went dead straight at the pin.

"A little puff of wind there and it could go anywhere."

Weir said ideal conditions along with a generous set-up showed Augusta National could yield low scores despite murmurings from many leading players that course lengthening, rough and added trees had robbed excitement from the tournament.

"That was my lowest nine holes (here)," said Weir of his inward half. "I shot 32 and I hadn't shot 32 ever.