McDowell struggles at Augusta

R1 LEADERBOARD -4 C DiMarco (USA, after 14 holes) -3 M Hensby (Aus), L Donald (Eng, 14) -2 V Singh (Fij, 11), R Palmer (USA, 16), R Goosen (SA, 13), P Mickelson (USA, 11), S Appleby (Aus, 11) Others: Even D Clarke (NIR, 12), Harrington (Ire, 14) +7 G McDowell, NIR, 16) Leaderboard Latest photos Augusta weather forecast

Graeme McDowell struggled on his debut at a rain-hit Masters when he was on seven over when play was stopped for the day at Augusta.

The NI player had played 16 holes when the hooter sounded after more than five hours had been lost due to heavy rain.

Fellow countryman Darren Clarke faired better when he was on level par after 12 holes.

Chris DiMarco led on four under after 14 holes with Australian Mark Hensby the clubhouse leader on three under.

DiMarco downplays lead

McDowell was in trouble right from the start at Augusta as he carded six bogeys and a double bogey at the turn before picking up his only birdie at his 11th hole.

Clarke, who started at the 10th hole, picked up two birdies after bogeying the 12th.

The Ulsterman had skirted the third green when the hooter sounded to suspend play.

However, he took up the option to finish the hole but three putted to drop a shot to finish his day on even par.

His playing partner Tiger Woods had an eventful round as he was two over when play stopped.

He dropped a shot at the 11th, his second, and was then unlucky to see his 15-foot eagle putt on the par-five 13th slip past the hole, off the green and into Rae's Creek.

The three-time champion opted to drop back where he had hit the putt from and got down in two for another bogey.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington dropped a shot on 14 just before the hooter went to slip back to level alongside Clarke.