The Masters: Ryan Fox near top of leaderboard at Augusta in round ...

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox made a hot start at the Masters, sitting atop the leaderboard midway through his opening round at Augusta before a shot into the water saw him give up the lead.

Fox, part as one of the early groups off after a weather delay, birdied his first three holes to move to three-under. He then took the sole lead with a stunning eagle at the par five eighth to move to five-under.

The world number 54 carded a 31 on the front nine, however two bogies on the back nine has seen him drop back down the leaderboard.

Though 12 holes he still held a one-shot lead before finding trouble on the famed par five 13th.

Fox went into the pines on the right with his tee shot, forcing him to lay up. But his third from an un-even lie, 53 yards from the pin, saw him chip the ball well short of the green and into Rae’s Creek.

He recovered with a crafty up-and-down to walk away with a bogey, however former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau took the lead off Fox with a birdie, followed by two more to extend his lead.

Fox then three-putted the par three 16th for his second bogey of the day which saw him slip to a share of fifth at three-under.

DeChambeau currently leads by three shots at seven-under with one to play.

Fox made his debut at Augusta last year, finishing tied for 27th. Over the first two rounds he is playing with 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia and American Chris Kirk.

The Masters got underway this morning after a two and a half hour weather delay when Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit the ceremonial first shots.

Most of the heavy rain expected at Augusta National missed the club, though high winds were still expected to make for a difficult day.

Those teeing off late, including Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, were unlikely to finish before dark, which means they will have long days finishing tomorrow before playing their second rounds.

Jon Rahm is the defending champion after rallying on a marathon Sunday to overcome Brooks Koepka last year.