Mickelson & Els toil at Augusta

Mickelson visited all parts of Augusta during a wayward round

Defending champion Phil Mickelson and two-time runner-up Ernie Els endured poor starts to their Masters campaigns.

Mickelson went out in 40 as he repeatedly found trouble off the tee, with either of his two drivers.

The 36-year-old's problems continued on the back nine and the American was six over through 14 before two late birdies kept him in the hunt at four over par.

Els, having started with a double bogey, had it far worse and finished with a six-over-par 78.

The 37-year-old South African, twice a runner-up at Augusta, went out in a horrible 42 shots before recovering his composure on the back nine to get home without any further damage to his score.

All the same, the world number five came to the Georgia course this week in decent form and determined mood. His chances of a first Green Jacket are almost certainly over for another year.

If I can shoot a 68 or better, I could get myself back to par and get back in it Phil Mickelson

The three-time major winner, who was narrowly beaten here by Mickelson in 2004, said: "It was a very tough day. If you mishit a shot today, you really paid the penalty. Everything was firm out there."

Mickelson, however, might just have rescued his hopes of winning a third Masters title in four years over the closing holes.

Birdies at 15 and 16 stopped the rot and a great chip shot at the last saved his par after a poor approach shot.

"I accomplished that mini-goal and tomorrow I've got to go back to playing some solid golf," said Mickelson of a strong finish that still could not prevent him from matching his worst round in 15 appearances here.

Els made a mess of the 1st and Ogilvy had a shocker at the 2nd

"If I can shoot a 68 or better, I could get myself back to par and get back in it."

With scoring unusually high for an opening day at Augusta, the world number four will know that three low rounds could still be enough.

"The wind is making it more difficult," said Mickelson, who has also won three majors. "It's because it's a swirling wind - it was affecting even the shortest of shots."

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Mickelson and Els, however, were not the only big names to struggle on a testing day at the famous par-72 lay-out.

Playing alongside Els was US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and the highly-fancied Australian posted a triple-bogey eight at the par-five 2nd. He showed considerable resolve, however, to card a final score of 75.

That was one better than Spain's Sergio Garcia and former Masters champions - and Augusta experts - Fred Couples and Ben Crenshaw.