Rory McIlroy leverages his deep familiarity with Augusta Nationwide to tie for the lead after the opening spherical of the Masters, capturing a five-under-par 67.
McIlroy Overcomes Nerves for Sturdy End
The Northern Irish golfer, final yr’s champion, experiences the acquainted pre-shot jitters on the primary tee below the brilliant solar. “That’s a great factor. That’s why we need to be right here,” McIlroy says afterward. “We would like to have the ability to attempt to play our greatest golf once we’re feeling like that.”
McIlroy begins steadily, reaching even par by means of seven holes. He then surges with 5 birdies over the ultimate 11 holes to say the clubhouse lead. Regardless of rating exterior the highest 100 in fairways hit, he excels in scrambling. “I used my head… I bought up-and-down after I wanted to,” he explains. “I didn’t compound errors.”
Sam Burns Matches McIlroy’s Rating
American Sam Burns playing cards a flawless 67 in his fifth Masters look, boasting the sector’s greatest strategy play. Burns joins rising stars like Ludvig Aberg and Tom Kim as main contenders, positioning himself for a possible breakthrough.
High Contenders Path Carefully
Justin Rose, final yr’s playoff runner-up to McIlroy, falters with late bogeys and finishes at two below, alongside main winners Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, and Xander Schauffele.
McIlroy credit his prior victory for constructing confidence. “I do assume profitable a Masters makes it simpler to win your second one,” he states. “It’s simpler for me to make these swings and never fear about the place it goes after I know that I can return to the Champions Locker Room afterwards and put my inexperienced jacket on.”
