Hoffman leads Masters after Round 1

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Charley Hoffman just feels in a good place every time he plays Augusta National and he proved it in emphatic style by shooting a superb 65 in the U.S. Masters first round on Thursday.

The American world number 52 made light of high winds to plunder nine birdies in a brilliant display which earned him a four-shot advantage, the biggest opening-round lead in the year?s first major for 62 years.

?Just when I step on the property, I feel good,? Hoffman told reporters.

?Visually ? I?m a very visual person - it fits my eye. It feels good when I?m on the greens and on the tees and hitting shots into the green. It just makes me focus a little bit more and I definitely feel comfortable here.?

The 40-year-old Californian, who has won four PGA Tour titles, came into the tournament on a good run of form, finishing tied fourth at the Genesis Open and joint second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

He has also performed well at the Masters before with a tie for ninth place in 2015 after lying second at the end of round two.

?I?m going to feed off that the rest of the week,? Hoffman said. ?There wasn?t a ton of pressure today. You?re just trying to make ends meet really.?

Hoffman made four straight birdies from the 14th hole and had a chance to add another.