Augusta, GA ... Scotland’s Russell Knox clearly looked shell-shocked in describing his demeanour after a shock seven over par 79 on the opening day of his maiden Masters.

Knox was left shaking his head wondering where it all went wrong in a score that included a 13th hole birdie but also three bogeys along with a 12th hole double and a terrible final hole triple bogey.

And after doing all the right things in terms of his practice rounds, that included playing 18 holes alongside 1988 Masters winner and fellow Scot Sandy Lyle, it didn’t justice Knox should sign for a 79.

Russell Knox left ‘shell-shocked’ after posting a 79 in his first Masters round.

He was four over playing the last but found a green side bunker right of the green but in reaching the bunker Knox’s ball had plugged. He then tried his best to get the ball on the green however it flew the green and into the line spectators.

In fact, Knox’s ball had landed three rows back into the row of seats at an 11am position if you were to walk onto the green.

He then played a great chip fourth shot but unfortunately took another three to get down.

And the full marks to Knox who spoke with the media when others would have easily headed straight to the locker room.

“I’m a little shell-shocked because I could easily have been a few under today,” he said.

“I hardly missed a shot on the front nine, where I three-putted from nowhere a couple of times.

“I was playing lovely and just missed a birdie at 10 before hitting a bad tee shot at 11 – that was my first bad shot of the day – but I took my punishment by chipping out.

“My ball was hit by a horrible gust at the 12th, found a bunker where I misjudged the lie then three-putted from nowhere for a double-bogey.

“I then hit two great shots on to the 13th, a great shot at 14th, a nice drive at the 15th then a nice don’t think I could actually have played much better up until that point but just hadn’t taken my chances.

“Then at 17th I just missed my second shot before seeing a decent putt hit a spikemark halfway to the hole.

“At the last I didn’t hit a great drive and had to pitch out but then rushed the next shot, which was disappointing.  I was on the downslope in the bunker and had no shot really before playing a nice little chip from the other side of the green only to see the putt lip out.

“I feel I could have shot three or four-under quite easily. I could have played 100 times worse and beaten that score. It was tricky out there but I honestly don’t think that score was down to a lack of knowledge.

“After 12 holes, I was amazed I was four-over. Indeed, I felt I did pretty good until the last hole.”