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After winning The Masters in 2025 for the first time in his illustrious career to complete the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy picked up right where he left off and set the pace on Thursday during the opening round at Augusta National.
McIlroy ended the day tied for the lead with Sam Burns after shooting a 67, putting him at five-under par heading into Friday.
He recorded just one bogey on the day, which came on the third hole, while also carding six birdies — three of which came consecutively on holes 13 through 15.
Following the round, the PGA Tour noted that McIlroy became the seventh Masters champion to hold at least a share of the first-round lead the year after a victory. The last to do so was Jordan Spieth in 2016.
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After the round, McIlroy went into detail about the course conditions, noting how firm the greens are and how he's tried to embrace "that type of golf," which he saw immense success with on Thursday.
“As it gets drier, the grass around the greens gets stickier, that ryegrass. So it makes it more difficult to hit the bump and runs,” McIlroy said. “It also makes the putting through that grass a little bit trickier as well.
“I think when the greens get that firm, you really have to think about where the best miss is, and distance control is very important, but also, like, different — missing it left, missing it right. When the greens get like this, it's not going to be soft. So when the greens do get firm like this, it makes it a much more tactical test, and you really have to think about things.
“As you guys know, I've said for the last few years I've started to really relish that type of golf. I really want to excel at that type of golf.”
McIlroy entered the tournament with the fourth-best odds to win, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, and after one round, he has emerged as the favorite. He is set to tee off Friday at 1:44 p.m. EST, with the bulk of his round televised on ESPN.
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