Sandy Lyle was delighted yesterday to be accompanied by two fat ladies - the number 88. Each player is given a badge with a number according to the order in which they register and the significance of the number for Lyle, who was among the last to arrive, was not lost.

It was '88, of course, that Lyle won his green jacket - 20 years since he played that fabulous seven-iron shot from a fairway bunker at the 18th to set up his winning birdie putt.

"It was pure coincidence I was given badge 88 as they hand out the badges in order of registering except for No.1 which is reserved for the defending champion," said Lyle.

"Hopefully 88 can be a good omen for me this week. I'm amazed how quickly it's gone but Augusta National never ceases to amaze me.

I always get a kick coming here even though I no longer have a good chance of winning."

Lyle, who has been drawn to play the opening two rounds alongside Americans John Rollins and J B Holmes, made the cut right on the mark last year and closed with a 71 despite no competitive preparation. This year the 50-year-old has been sharpening up on the Champions' Tour.

"I'm itching to get going. I'm hitting the ball a lot better and that's because I have been playing a lot of golf.

I also made a couple of swing changes and they've made a huge difference, so I am expecting a good performance," he said.

"I need to work on my putting but I feel as though I've turned the corner."

Lyle, who has son Stuart on the bag this week, has been suffering mysterious bruising on his hands, but he said that was no longer a problem. Of more concern to him this week is not letting Scotland down as he is our only representative.

"I know the whole of Scotland will be watching what I do this week and I feel as though I can play well and live up to expectations," he said.

"Of course the first goal is to just make the cut and if that happens hopefully I can play well over the weekend so we'll just have to wait and see."