Rory McIlroy, the sixth career Grand Slam winner in golf history, took a major step toward becoming the fourth player to win consecutive Masters titles.
McIlroy shot a 5-under-par 67 with six birdies and one bogey in the opening round at Augusta National Golf Club (par 72) in Augusta, Georgia, on Wednesday. He shares the lead with Sam Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, two strokes ahead of the second-place group.
McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam with his first Masters victory last year, raised hopes for the first back-to-back Masters win since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002. Only three players have achieved consecutive Masters victories: Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Woods.
McIlroy put on a driving display, averaging 341.4 yards off the tee and launching a 349.3-yard drive on the 15th hole (par 5).
Through seven holes, he had only one birdie and one bogey. But consecutive birdies on the 8th (par 5) and 9th holes (par 4) shifted momentum, and he added three more birdies on the back nine (holes 13-15).
On the 13th hole (par 5), the final hole of the challenging Amen Corner (holes 11-13), McIlroy recovered from a tee shot into the right trees and sank a birdie putt from just over four meters.
Justin Rose, last year's playoff runner-up, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler are tied for sixth at 2-under par. Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae finished the first day at 3-over and 4-over par, respectively.
