AUGUSTA, Ga. — It was there for the taking.

But Tiger Woods failed to take it.

Augusta National, with warm temperatures, no rain and virtually no wind for Thursday’s opening round of the Masters, was in a forgiving mood, yielding red numbers all day.

The 47-year-old Woods, though, was never under par all day and finished with a 2-over-par 74.

Woods’ lost opportunity was accentuated by the performance of his playing partners.

Viktor Hovland, with a 7-under 65, was the leader when he walked off the course.

Xander Schauffele shot a 4-under 68.

“Today was the opportune time to get the round under par, and I didn’t do that,’’ Woods said. “Most of the guys are going low. This was the day to do it. Hopefully [Friday] I’ll be a little bit better, a little bit sharper, and kind of inch my way through it.

“This is going to be an interesting finish to the tournament with the weather coming in. If I can just kind of hang in there, maybe kind of inch my way back, hopefully it will be positive towards the end.’’

Heavy and steady rain are in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, which could suspend play and force the second round to be completed Saturday.

Woods salvaged his round with birdies on two of his final four holes.

But he caught a bad break on the 18th hole when his tee shot came to rest near the large bunker to the left of the fairway, leaving him with an awkward stance with his right (surgically repaired) leg in the sand and his left leg on the grass.

That resulted in a disappointing bogey to close the round, which produced five bogeys to just three birdies.

Despite hitting four of his first five fairways and six of the first seven greens in regulation, Woods was 3-over par through seven holes with 16 putts.

“I didn’t have very good speed early,’’ he said. “I had two three-putts, and consequently I’m a couple over par. I didn’t hit my irons close enough. I didn’t give myself very good looks.

“I need to do a better job of that going forward to hopefully get myself back in this tournament.’’

Asked how his right leg felt after the incident on 18, Woods said, “Sore.’’

“I was trying to hook it more than that and trying to put it in the left gallery or left bunker and give myself an angle,’’ Woods said. “I didn’t do that.’’

Woods fell backward after the swing, which sent the ball into the right greenside bunker, and hopped on his left leg to alleviate any pressure on the right leg and foot.

“I’m good,’’ he said. “Hop on the left leg is fine. If I did it on the other one, not so fine.’’