Defending champion Rory McIlroy stormed into a share of the lead after the opening day at The Masters, with Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler all in contention at Augusta National. McIlroy made the dream start to his bid to become the first back-to-back winner at The Masters since Tiger Woods, 12 months on from completing the career Grand Slam, as he posted five birdies in an eight-hole stretch on his way to an opening-round 67.
The world No 2 is joined on five under by Sam Burns, who set the initial clubhouse target, with the pair holding a two-shot buffer over Jason Day, Patrick Reed and Kurt Kitayama in tied-third.
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Watch highlights of Rory McIlroy’s opening round, where he started his title defence with an impressive five-under 67
Rose – who finished runner-up to McIlroy last April – was within one of the lead until finishing a two-under 70 with successive bogeys, with Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and Scheffler also all within three of the lead.Just 16 players broke par in firm and fast conditions, with Bryson DeChambeau struggling to a four-over 76 and former champion Jon Rahm stuttering to an opening-round 78.
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2026-04-10 00:15:00
