Adam Scott was left to rue an uncharacteristically sloppy display with his irons as he produced his worst opening start to the Masters in 12 years.
The 2013 champion could only muster a four-over-76 in the opening round, sending him a distant 10 shots off Jordan Spieth's lead.
Not since coming out of the blocks with an 80 in 2004 has Scott been so untidy early in the event, leaving him a deflated figure.
His nemesis hole, the first, bit him again, with an opening bogey taking him to 22-over in 53 rounds, setting the tone for a tough day out in windy conditions.
"Definitely not on today, with my iron play certainly. Right from the first hole I didn't quite come out on my lines and I was on the back foot from the get-go," Scott said after hitting just nine of 18 greens in regulation to rank T63 in the 89-man field.
"I just didn't really hit it solid enough into the greens and I left myself grinding for par even when I was putting for birdie.
"I just didn't hit it well enough and it's easy to misjudge a couple with the wind. And all of a sudden you really limit your birdie chances."
Scott has now set his sights on a 68 or better on Friday (Saturday AEST) as he tries to slowly claw his way back, hoping the conditions keep the leaders from getting too far ahead.
High winds are again forecast for Friday.
"I'm super patient. It's a long week. I was trying hard to try and find a couple coming in, but it just wasn't there for me," he said.
"Now I need to find a couple on each side tomorrow and I'll be in good shape.
"I find it hard to believe that if it's windy like this the first three days that the leader will shoot three top rounds. If he does, then fair play, but at some point it's going to catch up with everyone."
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