By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

Jack Nicklaus on Friday recorded his 500th birdie in the US Masters at Augusta.

Nicklaus had made 497 before the delayed start of the 67th running of the event, but failed to register any in a first-round 85, 13 over par.

However, the 63-year-old then recovered from four straight bogeys at the start of his second round to birdie the 14th and 17th to be out in 39.

A good chance to reach the milestone went begging at the par-five second, but the six-time Masters champion then made no mistake from three feet at the third just before the siren sounded to end play for the day.

At 15 over par with six holes of his second round to complete today, Nicklaus was still going to miss the halfway cut, along with 73-year-old Arnold Palmer, who was making his 49th consecutive appearance in the event.

Palmer had actually outscored Nicklaus by two shots in the first round but was 20 over par for the tournament with five holes of his second round to play.