AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Danny Willett winning the Masters in 2016 provided one of golf's major surprises, but the Briton's four-under 68 on Thursday in the first round at Augusta National may well be an even bigger one.

Willett, who underwent shoulder surgery last September and was expected to be out of action for 12-18 months, made a miraculous return, mixing seven birdies with three bogeys to sit three back of clubhouse leader Bryson DeChambeau when first round play was halted due to darkness.