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Masters 2018: Sergio Garcia hits FIVE shots in water on 15th hole during nightmare nine-over-par opening round

Garcia's defence of his title at Augusta blows up in first round as Spaniard cards record score of 13 - on his favourite hole

MASTERS champion Sergio Garcia suffered a horrendous meltdown as he ran up a THIRTEEN on the par-five 15th.

The Spaniard, 38, put five balls in the water as he equalled the worst-ever score on a hole at Augusta.

Sergio Aguero suffered a nightmare start to his defence of his Masters title after taking 13 at the 15th
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Sergio Aguero suffered a nightmare start to his defence of his Masters title after taking 13 at the 15thCredit: Reuters
Garcia cannot believe it as he peers down into the water on the 15th as his Masters challenge went up in smoke
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Garcia cannot believe it as he peers down into the water on the 15th as his Masters challenge went up in smokeCredit: AP:Associated Press

He finished with a nine-over par 81 — a staggering 15 shots behind first-round leader Jordan Spieth.

Rory McIlroy was three shots behind the American after shooting 69.

Garcia said: “It’s one of those awful things that happen sometimes. It’s the first time in my career I’ve made a 13 in competition. I felt like I hit a lot of good shots — but unfortunately the ball just didn’t want to stop!”

Garcia takes a drop on his way to scoring 13 on the par-five 15th hole
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Garcia takes a drop on his way to scoring 13 on the par-five 15th holeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Garcia was left reeling as he found the water five times on the par five 15th hole
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Garcia was left reeling as he found the water five times on the par five 15th holeCredit: Reuters

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Garcia made a final-round eagle on the same hole on his way to a play-off triumph over Justin Rose last year.

His shocker dropped him from two-over to ten-over — but, incredibly, he bounced back with a birdie two on the short 16th, where he also had to hit over water!

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After posting his worst Augusta score by three shots, he looks set to miss the cut.

And like Danny Willett before him, Garcia seems destined to spend the weekend kicking his heels — and pondering what went wrong — as he hangs around to present a Green Jacket to his successor.

The Spaniard knows his hopes of defending his Masters title have gone for a swim
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The Spaniard knows his hopes of defending his Masters title have gone for a swimCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Tiger Woods also had a bit of water trouble in the first round. But he only put one ball into Rae’s Creek on the par-three 12th and then sank a long putt to escape with a bogey four.

The American eventually carded a decent one-over 73.

McIlroy, who posted his best opening round since 2011, said: “To shoot something in the 60s, I’m really happy with that. I played solid, not too many mistakes.”

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