McIlroy just three shots off the lead as Masters plan gets off to good start
Holywood man breaks 70 on Day One at Augusta
Rory McIlroy is off to a flying start in the Masters.
The World Number Seven was in superb form throughout – finishing Day One at Augusta on -3 – three shots behind leader Jordan Spieth.
McIlroy said he was delighted to break 70 in the first round – for just the second time as he chases the win needed to complete the career grand slam.
His 69 contained four birdies and just a single bogey.
Crucially, the 28-year-old make excellent par saves on the last three holes.
“Jordan had a pretty strong finish there but this is my best start in a few years,'' he said.
“It's such a hard golf course to play catch-up on. If you start to chase it around here, that's when you start to make mistakes.
“But to be right up there and have the ability to stay patient, because of the position I'm in, that's a nice luxury I have over the next few days.
“I drove it well. Everything was really solid. And if I can continue to play like that over the next three days, I'll be pretty close.
“It was a much different golf course today than what we've seen in practice. The SubAir (system) must have been running nearly all night. That's Augusta. That's what we sign up to whenever we come here. You know it's going to be firm and fast.
“Harry (Diamond, his caddie) said this place was at least five or six shots tougher today than it was when we played last week."