Shropshire’s Sandy Lyle was today hoping to continue rolling back the years after making a fine opening to the US Masters at Augusta.

Despite turning 50 in February, Hawkstone Park’s Lyle proved he was still capable of competing against the game’s rising stars with a level-par 72 – exactly 20 years to the day since winning his Green Jacket.

That was the same score as world No 1 and hot tournament favourite Tiger Woods, and only four adrift of the overnight lead held by England’s Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman, of South Africa.

It could have been even better for Lyle who was three-under-par after 14 holes of his first round before a trio of late bogeys left him having to settle for a tie for 19th. But it was still a day to remember for the Lyle family, with Sandy’s son Stuart caddying for his dad.

“That’s the first time he’s seen the first nine holes,” said the former Shropshire & Herefordshire Open and Amateur champion.

“We didn’t play them in practice because I have to pace myself these days.

“When I got to three under with the birdie at 12 I was thinking I could even make four or five under with the two par fives coming up.

“But I played some pretty tidy golf and can’t really complain.

“I’m disappointed obviously with the finish, but I’m hitting the ball the way I want to and it does help to have that little bit of knowledge.

“I often look at younger ones taking on certain shots and think to myself – you’ll learn!”

Lyle’s former county colleague Ian Woosnam – they played together in Wednesday’s traditional par three tournament at Augusta – signed for an opening round 75.

It looked like the 1991 champion, who also turned 50 earlier this year, would feature heavily in the first round with birdies at two of his first three holes.

But five bogeys on the remaining 15 holes left the Oswestry man with a battle to make the cut tonight.