AUGUSTA, Ga. – In a surprising turn of events, Rory McIlroy bypassed the media waiting for comments and headed straight to the parking lot after his opening round at the Masters late Thursday. This swift exit reflected the frustration he felt following a round that promised so much but ultimately delivered disappointment.
Initially, McIlroy seemed to have his game in full control as he navigated the challenging course of Augusta National. He began his round with a steady and methodical approach, even jumping to a commendable 4-under par, putting him in early contention with a tie for second place. However, the final 90 minutes of his round saw a dramatic collapse, highlighted by two double bogeys within a four-hole stretch, leading to a final score of even-par 72. This disappointing outcome left him a staggering seven shots off the lead.
One of the pivotal moments came on the demanding par-5 15th hole. McIlroy opted for a conservative tee shot, leaving him more than 230 yards to the green, which has recently undergone renovations, making it one of the firmest on the course. Despite his impressive 4-iron shot, McIlroy could not keep the ball on the putting surface, leading to a tricky downhill chip towards the water. Unfortunately, his third shot failed to check up, rolling off the front of the green and into the pond. Following a drop on the other side, he miscalculated his pitch, resulting in a double-bogey 7.
“It’s really firm already,” noted Akshay Bhatia, who finished his round with a score of 70 alongside McIlroy. “It’s a very good risk-reward hole. It’s an interesting decision you have to make.”
McIlroy's struggles continued at the 17th hole, where his second shot from the first cut was less than ideal. From a distance of 175 yards, his approach shot sailed nearly pin-high but ultimately bounced 20 yards over the green. His subsequent pitch shot was also subpar, leaving him with a lengthy par putt that he overshot by 6 feet, resulting in another double-bogey 6. After a final par on the 18th, McIlroy concluded his round with a score of 72, showing little emotion as he made his way to the scoring room.
This round at the Masters is one of the most critical moments in McIlroy's season. Entering the tournament, he was in exceptional early-season form, having already secured victories at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass. He currently leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained: total, showcasing his overall performance this year. In preparation for the Masters, McIlroy took two trips to Augusta National over the past three weeks and even shared a meal with six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus to discuss strategies for success.
Historically, McIlroy has struggled at the Masters, with only two of his 16 previous starts resulting in opening rounds in the 60s. In 2011, he began with a 65 and held a four-shot lead heading into Sunday, only to falter with an 80. In 2018, a strong start positioned him in the final group on Sunday, but he ultimately shot 74. Recent trends indicate that overcoming a significant deficit in the Masters is challenging; 18 of the last 19 winners have been within four shots of the lead after Day 1. With McIlroy now seven shots behind and 26 players ahead of him, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be an uphill battle.
