Masters news: Rory McIlroy's double bogey horror as leader Justin Rose makes history

Rory McIlroy made two double bogeys in the final four holes to throw away his strong start to - and now trails by seven shots after the first round. The Northern Irishman has been tipped by many to finally end his wait at Augusta.

He made an impressive start and after 14 holes was four under as he remained very much in touch with the leader, carding a bogey free round. That would all change at the 15th though as he came up with a double bogey to slip back to two under.

McIlroy then compounded that error two holes later when, at the 17th, he again shot a double bogey to take himself back to level par for the round, leaving him in a tie for 26th as he was left to stew on his late blunders.

This is the seventh year in a row McIlroy has been six or more behind following the opening day with his hopes of completing the Grand Slam appearing slim.

Rose makes history with lead

Rose meanwhile said he was motivated to win more Majors after taking the first-round lead at the Masters for a record fifth time. The US Open champion of 2013 nailed eight birdies for an opening 65 as he strode back to the clubhouse with a three-shot lead.

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The 44-year-old broke the record he had shared with Jack Nicklaus for topping the leaderboard after 18 holes here and now stands alone as he underline his desire to add to his impressive CV. He said: “To win Majors is why I keep working, keep practising and make all the sacrifices by being away from my family. I still feel I have more Major championships in me, or even a couple. That is what inspires me."

Defending champion and No.1 shot a bogey-free 68 and sits tied second along with Corey Connors and Ludvig Aberg. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton is only four off the lead. Scheffler is aiming to become only the fourth man ever - after Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods - to retain the title.

“I have had some good success here in the last few years and I am hoping for more this year,” said Scheffler. “It is always good having success here. It is something you can lean on. But everyone starts on level par and there are a bunch of guys I have got to beat.”

Debutant takes a pee on the course

Jose Luis Ballester has caused a major stir on his Masters debut after confessing he had a wee into Rae's Creek during his opening round at Augusta National. The Spaniard found himself in need of the toilet on the par-five, known as Azalea, and he chose to use Rae's Creek as an alternative toilet spot midway through the hole.

He said after his round: "I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box Then I'm like, 'I really need to pee'. Didn't really know where to go, and since JT [Thomas] had an issue on the green, I'm like, 'I'm just going to sneak here in the river and probably people would not see me that much'.

"Then they clapped for me! Probably one of the claps that I got real loud, so that was kind of funny. It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again."

The US Amateur champion played alongside defending champion Scheffler and former world No 1 Justin Thomas in what was his major debut as he carded a four-over 76.