Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm set the early pace in the first round of the Masters at Augusta National. 

Five-time winner Tiger Woods laboured to an opening 74 in his 25th Masters as Rahm staged a remarkable fightback.

Playing just his fifth competitive round of the year, Woods looked understandably rusty as he found himself comprehensively outscored by playing partners Hovland and Xander Schauffele.

Hovland had the course record of 63 - shared by Nick Price and Greg Norman - in his sights before settling for an error-free 65, while Schauffele returned a 68 matched by former Open champion Shane Lowry and 2013 winner Adam Scott.

Sportsmail's MIKE KEEGAN takes a look at the big talking points as the golf's biggest names battle it out for the famous green jacket.

An odd situation appeared to unfold at the sixth green with Collin Morikawa. 

Footage seemed to show him placing his ball around a couple of inches in front of his marker. 

The American then picked the ball up and put it down again in the new position.

Sergio Garcia has already won the prize for spikiest press conference following his two-over-par 74. 

‘Please stop it and talk about the Masters,’ the LIV golfer told reporters who had the temerity to ask him about the landmark ruling which upheld the DP World Tour’s suspensions and fines of the rebels. 

Belgium's not-so-modest Thomas Pieters, the latest LIV rebel, was in no mood to dodge questions on the same subject. 

‘I would love to play my home Open,’ he said after also shooting 74. 

‘I don’t see how it’s good for the game if I have to skip it. They’re just hurting themselves.’

Augusta National is famed for its low prices when it comes to concessions and this year is no different. 

Beers are $5, while a ham and cheese sandwich sets you back $3 and a coffee is only $1.50. And if you can find a space car parking is free.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the course’s money-making machine retail store, where a water bottle is no less than $39 and caps are $38.  

Meanwhile, tickets were being offered for $5,000 on the resale market.

Northern Irish amateur Matthew McClean joked that he wanted to take a picture of the leaderboard after finding his name on top of it on his debut. 

The 29-year-old optometrist was in the second group out and enjoyed a dream start, leaving the fourth two under with a two-shot lead. 

Former runner-up Will Zalatoris withdrew due to injury prior to starting his first round. 

The world No 8 was scheduled to tee off in a group with reigning US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and twice major winner Collin Morikawa. 

LIV Golf’s Kevin Na also withdrew, reaching the turn at four-over-par before calling it a day.