Garcia’s hopes left drowned

five consecutive shots into the water protecting the par-5. And the world No.9 avoided an even bigger score by needing only one putt from nine feet.

Garcia still equalled the record score on an individual hole at Augusta during the Masters, 12 months after making an eagle three on the hole in his final round last year on his way to the title.

Sir Nick Faldo said: “That was unbelievable. One year on from playing the hole of his life he has played the most embarrassing hole of his life.”

US star Woods recovered from a slow start, and a splash in the water at the 12th, to post a 73.

Swede Henrik Stenson was in the group behind and posted a threeunder-par 69.

He said: “It was not filling me with confidence going into that green with a 5-iron seeing Sergio dumping it in the water with a wedge.”

Garcia, who had been two-over par, finished up with a nine-over par 81.

He said: “I don’t know what to tell you. It’s just one of those things. It’s the first time in my career where I make a 13 without missing a shot. Simple as that.

“I felt like I hit a lot of good shots and unfortunately the ball just didn’t want to stop.”

Mcilroy - one of the late first round starters - was in contention after 15 holes at three under par.

The Irishman birdied the first, eighth, 13th and 15th, but dropped a shot at the par four seventh.