A bogey at the 18th hole left Padraig Harrington well off the pace in the first round of the Masters in Augusta and struggling to make the cut.

Harrington's final round of 74 left him some eight shots behind Fred Couples who shot six under.

Harrington's problems began with his approach play as he hit only 9 of 18 greens in regulation forcing him to scramble all day. The round was a bitter disappointment for Harrington who had hoped to be well up the leader board after showing improved form this year

Harrington's best holes were the par fives but it was the double bogey at the seventh hole where he took six that will come back to haunt him if he does not qualify. His two birdies came at the par five holes the 8th and the 13th.

His fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy joined him at two over while Graeme McDowell was a stroke back. All three may have difficulty qualifying for the final 36 holes,