Confident Anirban Lahiri in tied-18th with Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson after Rd 1

It was warm and balmy through the day, but there was hiding that big smile as Anirban Lahiri, sweat dripping from his face, walked off the course having completed his first competitive journey around the Augusta National Golf Club in one-under 71, which placed him tied 18th and alongside the likes of four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy and defending Masters champion Bubba Watson among others. Legendary 65-year-old eight-time Major winner and two-time Masters champion Tom Watson also shot 71.

Leading the field was last year's runner-up Jordan Spieth, winner of the 2014 Hero World Challenge, who shot 64 and he was three shots ahead of Charley Hoffman, Justin Rose, Jason Day and four-time Major winner, Ernie Els, all of whom shot 67 each.

Tiger Woods showed he is ready for a strong return as he shot one-over 70, but he expressed confidence in his short game, saying, "It is my strength. That's why I busted my butt off. That's why I took time off."

Going back to Lahiri, the 27-year-old Indian said, "I will take it (the first day card), but the first day is now done and dusted and I am focused on the second and hopefully the weekend from there on.

"Hearing your name called out by the announcer at the first tee, the hushed silence and the atmosphere was very exciting," said Lahiri of his first day at Masters. "Then to shoot 71, I will take it."

Yet Lahiri showed enough hunger. "But when I came off the golf course, I knew I could do better. Hopefully I can improve on this. I know it could have been a 68 or 69 and that makes me feel better," he added.

Lahiri produced two birdies, one each on the front and back nines – on the Par-5 eighth and the Par-3 16th. He had a seven-hole stretch of pars from first to seventh and then again from 10th to 15th. "It was solid. I did have some moments of nervousness minutes from the first shot, but that is almost natural. I had the same before teeing up at Lytham (British Open) in 2012. It is a special feeling. In enjoyed the moment and once that that passed it was fine."

Lahiri made two good saves on the first two holes and then settled down for five more pars before finding his first birdie on the par-5 eighth. Lahiri hit a fine drive on the eighth to 285 yards just to the left of the fairway bunker and from there his second shot landed 40 yards from the flag and his pitch got him to three feet for a great birdie.

Lahiri three-putted from 15 feet on the ninth and his missed five-footer on the return meant his only bogey of the day.

Lahiri started the start of the back nine with 300-plus yard drive that was followed by another fine second shot to with just over 30 feet. A good first putt saw him within a foot, which he tapped for par.

He parred the next five to make it six in a row and then holed a big 20-footer for birdie on the Par-3 16th. That brought him under par once again and he closed there.

Lahiri admitted he left a two or three birdies out there. "I was a little aggressive and that was inexperience. My caddie explained that even if I hit an aggressive putt, it must die into the hole. Most putts here are lag putts and I learnt something out there today."

Lahiri did miss a couple of birdie putts but he said, "I also had the rub of the green with favourable bounces on one or two occasions. So that was nice."

Lahiri, playing alongside former World No. 1 Lee Westwood (73) and the flamboyant Miguel Angel Jimenez (78), outscored his senior playing partners once again.

Lahiri was due to tee off for the second round at 12.31 pm around 10 pm in India) on Friday. "I am sure a lot of my friends will be glued to TV and Internet watching scores. There's been a lot of messages wishing me luck before and there has been a lot of support around me."