GREG NORMAN recovered from his Masters collapse to finish three off the lead after the opening round of the MCI Heritage Classic in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina yesterday.

Norman, who lost a six shot lead going into the final round at Augusta and eventually trailed in five adrift of Nick Faldo, shot a 69 just one ahead of Faldo.

"It was important to have a good solid round today, especially with what happened the week before," admitted Norman, who won the Heritage in 1988. "I don't expect it to disappear. That's not going to change for many, many years. It's been engraved in everybody's mind and I think it's just going to stay there."

Joint leaders Ken Green, Guy Boros, Jim Furyk and Loren Roberts shot five under 66s.