Lyle outplayed many younger European rivals at Augusta

Veteran Sandy Lyle thanked recent changes to his swing for allowing him to finish among the top Europeans at the Masters after a final-round 71.

It meant the 1988 champion finished on two under par and in a tie for 20th, his best finish since his Augusta win.

"I've played here 30-odd times, so I know how to play the course," said the Scot. "It is just picking your shots.

"My ball striking has improved and it's nice to play without putting too much pressure on myself."

I had a double bogey in the first round, so to finish at two-under was pretty good. Sandy Lyle

Lyle rekindled memories of past glories as he shot two birdies and a bogey in the opening nine before picking up another at the par-three 12th to push him up the leaderboard at three under.

But a bogey five at the 18th ended his chances of finishing the day as the top British participant at Augusta, finished two strokes behind Irishman Graeme McDowell in the tournament won by Argentine Angel Cabrera after a three-man play-off.

606: DEBATE Well done Sandy and thanks from all the syndicate who were in the know! spellbinding

Lyle had started the week with a 71 and he showed remarkable consistency for his age with further rounds of 70, 73 and 71.

"I was just happy to finish below par," he told BBC Sport. "I had a double bogey in the first round, so to finish at two under was pretty good.

"The changes I've made mean I am blocking out half the course, which is something I have been trying to do for about 12 years."

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