Defending champion Rory McIlroy stormed into a share of the lead after the opening day at The Masters, with Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler all in contention at Augusta National.
McIlroy made the dream start to his bid to become the first back-to-back winner at The Masters since Tiger Woods, 12 months on from completing the career Grand Slam, as he posted five birdies in an eight-hole stretch on his way to an opening-round 67.
The world No 2 is joined on five under by Sam Burns, who set the initial clubhouse target, with the pair holding a two-shot buffer over Jason Day, Patrick Reed and Kurt Kitayama in tied-third.
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Watch highlights of Rory McIlroy’s opening round, where he started his title defence with an impressive five-under 67
Rose – who finished runner-up to McIlroy last April – was within one of the lead until finishing a two-under 70 with successive bogeys, with Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and Scheffler also all within three of the lead.
Just 16 players broke par in firm and fast conditions, with Bryson DeChambeau struggling to a four-over 76 and former champion Jon Rahm stuttering to an opening-round 78.
McIlroy, looking to join Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Woods as the only players to retain the Green Jacket, cancelled out an early birdie at the par-five second with a bogey at the next as he made a slow start alongside Cameron Young and US Amateur champion Mason Howell.
The five-time major champion found just five fairways off the tee during the opening day but saw momentum change when successive birdies helped him reach the turn in 34, with McIlroy starting a fresh birdie burst by taking advantage of the par-five 13th.
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McIlroy made three consecutive birdies on the second nine at Augusta National, moving him tied for the lead
Another birdie at the next took him to four under with four holes to play, the same position he was in before an expensive finish to an opening-round 72 last year, with McIlroy avoiding a repeat when he took advantage of the par-five 15th to pull level with Burns.
McIlroy missed a birdie opportunity for the solo lead at the 17th but equalled the second-lowest opening round by a defending champion, with Burns also on five under after posting his career-best round at The Masters.
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McIlroy claimed that he felt just as nervous during the round as he’s felt during previous tournaments at Augusta National, despite having the Grand Slam secured
“I felt like I got a lot out of my round,” McIlroy said. “It started pretty scrappy. I was hitting out of the trees a little bit the first seven holes and then started to string some good swings together from the eighth hole onwards and played those last 11 in five under.
“I stayed really patient when I needed to. Honestly, I couldn’t have got a lot more out of my round. I feel like I leaned heavily on my experience out there to do that.”
More to follow…
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