Lyle experiences five-putt first

Lyle is looking forward to more regular golf on the seniors circuit

Sandy Lyle experienced a personal first on the golf course at the Masters on Saturday when he took five putts at the 170-yard 16th at Augusta National.

The 1988 champion was four over for his round when he came to the par-three and found the green with his tee shot.

But the 49-year-old Scot was on the lower level of the two-tiered green and failed to get up the ridge with his first putt - four more putts followed.

"I've four-putted before but I don't think I've ever five-putted," he said.

The triple-bogey six spoiled what had been a respectable effort on another very difficult day at Augusta. His eventual 80 left him on 16 over for the tournament.

"It's like walking in a minefield all the time out there," said Lyle, who becomes eligible for the seniors circuit next April.

The two-time major winner did well, in fact, to make the cut, as he has lost his card in the US and Europe and rarely gets to play tournament golf. It was his first made-cut since the Dunhill Links Championship last October and his first weekend at Augusta for three years.

"I've been in Florida for a month practising, but considering my preparation was nil in terms of playing tournaments I was very pleased with making the cut," he added.

Augusta's 16th is notoriously difficult. Two years ago Billy Casper scored a tournament record 14 there, hitting five balls in the lake.