Sandy Lyle carded an even-par 72 on the first day of the Masters at Augusta after recovering from a dreadful start.

Shortening the opening hole by 10 yards did nothing to help Lyle on Thursday as he began the Masters with a double-bogey six.

Scotland's only representative in the 96-strong field, the 1988 champion hooked his drive into the trees and had to do the same with his second shot in an attempt to find the green.

Lyle managed the shape but his ball had far too much on it and, from over the green, he was left with an almost impossible chip.

The flag was on the back shelf of the 445-yard hole but the 51-year-old went all the way off the front, chipped back to six feet and missed that.

He did birdie the short sixth, however, and was one one over alongside another former winner in Ian Woosnam.

He improved over the back nine, with birdies on the 13th, 14th and 17th to give him an excellent chance of making the cut.