Rory McIlroy shot a 1-under 71 on Thursday in the first round of the Masters at Augusta National.
It was an eventful day for the four-time major champion, who had three bogeys and four birdies.
However, it felt like McIlroy left a stroke on the course.
“It was a little rough,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes it’s hard to fully commit to a shot just because the wind is blowing. When the wind crosses you, it feels like you’re down at some point and then in. Know exactly where the wind is going. It’s nice to get some birdies around the turns after a slow start. It was a bit of a wasted way in.”
He elaborated on why he felt that way on the downhill.
“I had a chance for birdie on the 15th in the middle of the fairway, but I didn’t take it,” he said. “I missed short on the 16th and bogeyed on the 17th. I probably turned my 3-under into 1-under at the end.”
In this situation, 71 is a score that many players would take. Although some competitors dropped in the standings, McIlory continued to chase him all day.
He was lucky to get a few breaks on the front nine to save par. This is highly valued at major championships.
“That was good. The same thing happened in the seven. It hit the tree and gave me an advantageous bounce,” McIlroy explained. “I have to ride a little bit of luck here and there, but hopefully I don’t have to get any lucky bounces going forward and hopefully I can keep hitting the fairways.”
The wind was too strong for the players in the afternoon waves, so par was a good score.
McIlroy’s 1-under score puts him six shots behind first-round leader Bryson DeChambeau. Thursday at Augusta National is usually a make-or-break affair for McIlroy. However, his 71 was his lowest score in Round 1 since he shot 69 in 2018.
The remaining time in the first round Friday morning will determine when McIlroy and his group tee off. He plays alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. Originally scheduled for 1:48 p.m. ET, it will likely be later in the afternoon.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
