Robert MacIntyre faces reprimand after giving Masters the middle finger

Robert MacIntyre is set for a Masters reprimand after sticking his middle finger up to the 15th hole during a nightmare opening round of +8 at Augusta National . The Scot twice found the water on the final par-5, eventually carding a quadruple-bogey nine on the hole that may prove terminal to his chances of making the cut. The 29-year-old raised his middle finger after his first approach to the green landed in the drink, and was also seen slamming his clubs into the fairway in frustration earlier in his round.

MacIntyre’s swearing was also picked up by the TV cameras, at one stage reacting to another wayward approach by shouting “Jesus, f---”. It prompted Sky Sports commentators to apologise. Augusta National famously has strict rules on etiquette and behaviour, with goodwill from the patrons encouraged and the players expected to show decorum.

MacIntyre would therefore expect to receive a warning, therefore, before he starts his second round on Friday, but may avoid a fine from Augusta National. He is, though, 13 shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns and left the course without speaking to reporters. Defending champion McIlroy, meanwhile, saluted his own “great start” after picking up where he left off last year as he began his bid for back-to-back Masters.

“I thought I would feel different but then I put my tee in the ground and my ball on the tee on the first hole and I felt the same nerves I always feel,” said McIlroy. “I felt I settled into my round quickly. Wherever I hit it on this course I’ve seen it all over the past 18 years so I always think I can figure it out, get to the front of the green and find a par.