McIlroy’s Strong Start in Masters Defense Highlights Day of Firm, Fast Conditions
Rory McIlroy shot a 5-under 67 to share the first-round lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National, making his best start at the Masters in 15 years despite some wayward tee shots.
The defending champion found himself next to a spectator’s seat on one hole, in the trees on another, and even hit the 17th fairway while playing the seventh hole. But none of it seemed to bother him.
“I just trusted that eventually I’ll start to make some good swings. So that was a little different,” McIlroy said after his round.
What’s different this year? The green jacket hanging in his locker.
“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 at the end of the day,” he said.
McIlroy’s comfort level was evident throughout the round. Despite hitting only five fairways, he managed to post one of the day’s lowest scores. That’s rare territory – only Hideki Matsuyama in 2021 has matched that feat in the last decade.
Fred Couples noticed McIlroy’s newfound confidence too. “By the way, Rory may never lose this thing again after last year,” Couples told his caddie after hearing another cheer for the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy is trying to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. He’s off to a good start – he’s the sixth defending champion to hold at least a share of the first-round lead, though only Nicklaus in 1966 converted that to a victory.
Burns Matches McIlroy’s Pace
Sam Burns played the par 5s brilliantly with three birdies and an eagle, posting his lowest score in five Masters appearances.
“Historically, people who have success here play the par 5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So it’s a good recipe around this golf course,” Burns said.
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, carded a 69 thanks to two eagles on the front nine that propelled him to a 31 going out. He shares third place with Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama.
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 seeking his second green jacket in three years, started hot with a 3-under through three holes in the tougher afternoon conditions. He managed just one bogey and 14 pars the rest of the way for a solid 70, tied with Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose.
Firm and Fast Conditions Challenge the Field
The course is playing unusually firm and fast for a Thursday, with forecasts suggesting this could be the first Masters in 25 years without any rain. The dry conditions had players on edge all day.
“It’s not right on the edge, but it’s playing nice and firm where you can get yourself in a lot of trouble if you lose control somewhere,” Adam Scott said after shooting 72.
Reed experienced that firmness firsthand when what he thought was a perfect approach to the par-5 15th bounced hard off the back of the green, rolled down the slope and into the pond on 16.
“Water?” Reed asked his caddie in disbelief. “It landed on the green.”
Later, he called it a “head-scratcher.”
“I knew if it went over the green, we would be fine,” Reed said. “Didn’t really think I was going to go 30 yards over the green.”
The greens were so firm that Rose quipped, “You might get a yellow jacket if you win” – referring to the yellowish sheen that indicates extremely firm putting surfaces.
Only five players broke 70 on Thursday, and just 16 broke par – the lowest first-round total in five years at the Masters.
Some big names struggled with the conditions. Bryson DeChambeau needed three shots to escape a bunker on 11 during his round of 76. Jon Rahm didn’t make a single birdie in his 78, which included a double bogey after finding the azaleas on 13. Ten players failed to break 80, including world No. 8 Robert MacIntyre.
For McIlroy, who had only twice before started with rounds in the 60s at Augusta in 17 previous appearances, the day exceeded expectations.
“My hope was to get off to a solid start,” he said. “I feel like the way I played, 5 under, exceeded where I thought I would be or what I wanted to do.”
There’s still a long way to go, but the defending champion looks comfortable in a place that’s finally become his sanctuary rather than his torment.
