DEFENDING champion Rory McIlroy shot an opening round five-under-par 67 at the Masters on Thursday. It was his best opening round score in 17 trips to Augusta National.
This should make his rivals worried.
No longer having to answer of when he would win the Masters and complete the career grand slam, McIlroy navigated the treacherous layout with complete calm and patience to take a share of the lead with Sam Burns.
COLUMN: Rory McIlroy slays demons with drama-filled Masters win
McIlroy made the memorable round despite hitting just five fairways, a testimony to his recovery skills when before, similar errors would have scrambled his brain resulting in misguided shots and big scores.
This time, the 36-year-old Northern Irishman appeared to have everything under control as he moved into the second round two strokes ahead of former Masters champion Patrick Reed, Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama who shot 69s.
With nothing more to worry about securing the grand slam, McIlroy appeared to be swinging more freely, unburdened by many years of frustration during which he would contend only to suffer a meltdown during crucial moments.
With his sterling opening round, McIlroy appears poised for a second Masters victory. If he does, he would be joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won consecutive Masters.
“I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” McIlroy said.
He added, “I think it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the champions locker room and put my green jacket on and have a Coke Zero at the end of the day.”
“Rory’s got the monkey off his back,” said Nicklaus. “And I think he has a very, very good chance to repeat.”
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 player, shot a two-under-par 70 and is tied in sixth place but still well placed for a possible third green jacket. He won in 2022 and 2024.
He had an eagle and birdie in his first three holes but failed to improve on his monster start. He he had one bogey and pars the rest of the way.
Not so fortunate on a day when players were challenged by the fast and firm greens were Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, tipped among the top players who have a strong chance at winning the Masters.
Rahm shot a 78 while DeChambeau had a 76.
It will be tough just making the cut for the stars of LIV Golf.
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