David Howell pleased with opening 71

The Englishman, joint 11th on his debut at Augusta National last year, mixed four birdies with three bogeys to finish four strokes behind leader Vijay Singh.

With the infamous sloping greens running lightning-fast under bright sunshine, the 30-year-old was delighted with his performance.

"I'm very pleased," Howell told reporters. "It was difficult, more so than last year when it was wet.

"I didn't make too many stupid mistakes although I didn't drive it well for me.

"I holed out pretty well, apart from a three-putt on the third which was almost a four-putt. I made a good one there.

"There is going to be a lot higher scoring than last year."

European order of merit leader Howell fired a closing 69 here 12 months ago to secure the best major finish of his career.

"I think four under by the end of the week would suit very nicely," he said.

"I would take four 71s. The greens could get firmer and every hole is fraught with danger."

Compatriot Luke Donald, who shared third place on his Masters debut in 2005, ground out an opening 74.

"That round was just okay really," the 28-year-old said. "I would have liked to shoot under par but it's not the end of the world.

"I played poorly on the back nine and only hit a couple of fairways," added the Englishman, who is known for his accuracy off the tee and the quality of his iron game.

"I don't feel my game's too bad and the course is not going to play much easier. The ball is travelling and I am hitting mid-irons rather than long irons."

Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, two of the elder statesmen of British golf, experienced contrasting fortunes.

Three-times champion Faldo slid to a 79 while Montgomerie toiled for almost five and a half hours for a 74.

"It's too difficult for me," said the 48-year-old Faldo, who won his green jackets in 1989, 1990 and 1996. "You need a lot of confidence to play this place and I ain't got the guns any more."

At 7,445 yards off the back tees, Augusta National ranks as the second longest course in major championship history.

Former world number one Faldo, never the longest of drivers, knew he would struggle this week.

"If you mis-hit your drives a little bit, you've got 200 (yards) to the hole," he said. "I'm doing my best but I'm not playing well enough."

Montgomerie, who has not finished higher than joint eighth in 13 Masters appearances, was reasonably happy with his effort.

"It was a long day but a 74 is okay," said the eight-times European number one. "I ran up a seven on the (par-five) second and level from there is not too bad at all.

"It's difficult out there. Anything around par is not a disaster."