A wonderful back nine saw Hoffman card five birdies in windy conditions which proved testing for all the golfers at the iconic Augusta National Course to end the opening day on seven-under.

Although there are still three more rounds to navigate around the notoriously tough course, Hoffman is in a wonderful position to claim his maiden Green Jacket, especially with his fellow American and world number one Johnson being forced to pull out before hitting a ball.

On the eve of the major competition, last year’s US Open champion, winner of his last three Professional Golf Association tournaments, injured his back after falling down a flight of stairs in the rented home he is staying in.

He had hoped to still feature, but after arriving at the course and hitting a few balls, Johnson determined he was not in a fit enough state to compete and withdrew.

It was a tricky day for the players as conditions made ball control difficult.

Hoffman, though, put together a stellar showing to card a round of 65.

The front nine featured four birdies and two bogeys, but Hoffman’s round ignited into full flow after the halfway point.

Having picked up shots on the sixth and eighth holes to get back on even par, the 40-year-old rallied and collected another five on the back nine, including four in a row between 14 and 17.

Hoffman, who has a previous best finish of joint-ninth at Augusta back in 2015, came within centimetres of making it five consecutive birdies at the 18th, but his second last putt of the day came up just short.

His approach play was fantastic to match his mid-range putting and he was also able to save par on the 13th, despite taking a penalty shot after finding the water.

Another American, William McGirt, was the only other man to go round the course in under 70 shots as the Masters debutant carded 69, putting him on three-under.

England’s Lee Westwood, a runner-up at Augusta twice, also had a back nine to remember as he went from three-over to finish the round on two-under to put himself in third place overnight.

Westwood’s day was transformed with the help of five straight birdies between the 13th and 17th holes.

A group of players are sitting on one-under, including three-time winner Phil Mickelson.

The US left-hander has been joined by seven other players, including England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, one of the leaders on three-under before a double bogey on the last pushed him down the chart.

Another Englishman and reigning Olympic champion Justin Rose is also in the chasing pack on one-under along with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and American Jason Dufner among others.

Seven players are a further shot back, including world number two Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.

Defending champion Danny Willett had a mixed day, the Englishman dropping three shots in the opening two holes before reeling his round back to finish on one-over.

Play in the second round is due to begin again tomorrow at 8am local time.

The final round is scheduled to be completed on Sunday (April 9).