Faldo raps Westwood after he slips up in the dark

A fog-delayed start to the first round at Augusta National meant Westwood, in the last group, was playing in near-darkness by the time he reached the 17th green.

A three-putt bogey cost the former European No1 a share of the lead with fellow British star Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, who were in the clubhouse at four under par.

Westwood closed with a par four to return a three-under 69 but Faldo, who will have the 34-year-old in his team to defend the Ryder Cup against the US in September, was unimpressed by Westwood's determination to finish his round regardless of the conditions.

Faldo, the last British golfer to triumph at Augusta in 1996 when he claimed the third of his green jackets, said: "At a major is it really worth it? I would have stopped.

"You've got to really question this decision to rush up the 18th."

Westwood, still searching for his maiden major title, insisted he made the correct call despite the clock showing nearly 8.15pm local time when he walked off the final green.

He said: "I wanted to get in and get it over and done with and know what I'm doing in the morning.

"Sometimes it is easier to have a three-footer downhill left-to-right in the dark on these greens than when you can see.

"I've had some late finishes, later than this on the clock, but not as dark."

Westwood claimed the dropped shot at 17 had nothing to do with the failing light.

He said: "It took me by surprise, that putt. I would have missed in the light of day as well."

At least Faldo would have been pleased with a leaderboard that features several top European names likely to feature in his Ryder Cup side.

Beside Rose and Westwood, Ian Poulter was two off the lead thanks to a hole-in-one at the 16th. Sweden's Robert Karlsson was also two under, with Paul Casey one shot behind.