Rory McIlroy reminded everyone he is in Augusta to win, not just to serve up the Champions’ Dinner.
The Northern Irishman shares the first-round lead with American Sam Burns after carding a five-under par 67.
Almost all the talk about Rory McIlroy in the build-up to this year’s Masters related to the pomp.
In comparison, discussion about whether his game is there to secure a rare back-to-back Masters win felt somewhat neglected.
McIlroy’s Strong Start Stirs the Field
The 36-year-old McIlroy ensured anybody who was sleeping on his chances has been stirred.
McIlroy was among only 16 players in the 91-man field to finish under par, with conditions expected to get even firmer and faster over the next three days.
England’s Justin Rose, who was agonisingly denied his first Green Jacket by McIlroy in a nerve-jangling play-off last year, is three shots behind the leaders and alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler on two under par.
Aiming for Masters History
“I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” said McIlroy, who is aiming to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only men to retain the Masters.
“It’s hard to say because there are still shots out there that you feel a little bit tight with, and you just have to stand up and commit to making a good swing and not worry about where it goes.
“But 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 on my Green Jacket.”
Freedom on the Course
Completing the career Grand Slam last year – ending 11 years of heartbreak and hurt – was a huge relief for McIlroy.
As the champagne corks popped around him, the five-time major champion was already speaking about how he believed finally landing the Masters would “free” him up for further success.
Feeling liberated from the weight of history would, he hoped, provide autonomy between mind and body at the sport’s biggest tournaments.
In practice, that did not immediately prove to be the case, leading to doubts about his form going into his Augusta return.
But by the midway point of his opening round, that freedom was visible in his swing and in his stride.
McIlroy did make a tentative start before finding his rhythm and clicking into gear with a flurry of five birdies between the eighth and 15th holes.
Ending with a 67 meant he carded his lowest opening round at Augusta since 2011. It was only the third time
McIlroy hits three birdies in a row to move into joint lead.