Smith sits just one shot behind Korean leader Sungjae Im in solo second spot after a sparkling first-round four-under-par 68 at Augusta National.

Smith played majestically in blustery winds to card a four-under 68 on Thursday that could have been anything if not for two double-bogeys that bookended his round.

He shrugged off his first double on the opening hole to rattle in eight birdies to open up a two-shot buffer teeing off on the 18th.

But Australia’s world No.6 finished his round as he started with a six on the par-4 last after slicing his drive into the trees and then three-putting.

Despite his messy finish, Smith still enjoyed a one-stroke lead over world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, former champion Danny Willett and Joaquin Niemann, who all signed for 69s.

In his first competitive round of golf since he almost lost his leg following a shocking car crash, Tiger Woods mixed three birdie with two bogeys at Augusta National to sit three behind Smith.

“To be honest, those couple of double bogeys really didn’t have too bad a shots in them. It’s not like I was scratching it out of the trees,” Smith said.

“Got my second shot into a reasonable spot and just misjudged the wind on both wedges. Just left myself in a bit of a tough spot.

“Other than that, it was just really solid.”

Chasing his second green jacket in three years, American Dustin Johnson was level with Smith on four under through 12 holes, leading the way among the afternoon starters.

Rain delayed Smith’s round by half an hour but nothing could stop him from picking up from where he left off in winning last month’s Players Championship in Florida.

Smith hadn’t played competitively since bagging a record 10 birdies in the final round at TPC Sawgrass.

He arrived at Augusta National among the favourites and full of confidence.

Not even his sloppy six on the par-4 opener, after he found a fairway bunker off the tee then missed a seven-foot putt for bogey, could shake the 28-year-old’s belief.

After a scrambling par on the second, Smith made his first birdie on the fifth, then picked up further shots on six, eight and nine to reach the turn at two under.

When he birdied the treacherous par-3 12th over the water on Amen Corner, sinking an 11-footer, Smith found himself joint leader with Sungjae Im, the Korean who finished joint runner-up with Smith behind Johnson in 2020.

But Smith quickly shot two shots clear with a hat-trick of birdies on 14, 15 and 16 – only to falter at the last.

Among Australia’s other morning starters, Masters debutant Min Woo Lee had a rollercoaster round of one-over 73 featuring five birdies, four bogeys and a double.

Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, posted a 74 and Cam Davis, playing his maiden Masters, a 75.

Still on the course, fellow Masters rookie Lucas Herbert and veteran Marc Leishman were both two over par playing the back nine.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods said he was prepared to play with pain and at times noticeably limped as he made his way around the undulating layout regarded as one of the toughest walks on the PGA Tour.

“I fought back and for the day to end up in the red I am right where i need to be,” Woods said. “I figured once the adrenalin kicks in and I got fired up and I got into my little world I should be able to handle business.”

After Covid-19 limited the number of spectators allowed onto the grounds over the last two years, the crowds were back in force and bringing with them the familiar roars that echo through the tall Georgia pines.