The powerful Stenson came to Augusta with a big reputation

"I lost my head completely on the 17th and couldn't get it back at the last. I wasted two or three shots," he said.

The Swede, ranked 12th in the world, blamed his caddie for the mistakes but said he could still repair the damage.

Sergio Garcia, Europe's top ranked player at six, carded a level-par 72, while Padraig Harrington posted a 73.

I knew I had been playing well, so I had to stay patient and wait for things to happen Padraig Harrington Quotes of the day

It was a fairly typical round for the 26-year-old Garcia as the Spaniard combined three birdies with three bogeys and missed a few makeable putts.

Garcia's compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez also managed a 72, while Denmark's Thomas Bjorn was one shot worse off, alongside Harrington.

The Irishman was five over after seven but picked up four shots over the next 11, including twos at the 12th and 16th.

"Overall I am quite happy that I came back strong," said Harrington.

"I knew I had been playing well, so I had to stay patient and wait for things to happen."

Jose Maria Olazabal, a two-time Masters champion and the last European to win here in 1999, had an eventful day, carding seven bogeys, a birdie and an eagle for a four-over 76.

Bernhard Langer, another European two-time winner at Augusta, also had seven bogeys. The German, however, also had a double-bogey and only two birdies to post a seven-over 79.