McIlroy shoots 67, co-leads Masters
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- Rory McIlroy opened the Masters with a 5-under 67, co-leading Day 1 with Sam Burns — his lowest opening round at Augusta since 2011
- McIlroy hit just 5 of 14 fairways but still scrambled for birdies on Nos. 13, 14, and 15 even with drives into or behind Augusta National's pines
- McIlroy played last year's trouble holes (7, 14, and 17) in 1 under by switching from 3-wood to driver off the tee on all three
- McIlroy said he welcomed the familiar first-tee jitters, calling the shaking hand a welcome sign that the tournament still means something to him
- The week's central question: can McIlroy become the first player since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back green jackets?
- McIlroy said winning a Masters makes winning a second one easier, citing the comfort of having his green jacket waiting in the Champions Locker Room
Why it matters: McIlroy shot 67 while hitting only 5 of 14 fairways — proof that his Augusta course management, historically his weak link, has caught up to his talent. He turned last year's bogey holes (7, 14, 17) into red figures by committing to driver off the tee, the kind of strategic shift that turns a defending champion from a ceremonial figure into a legitimate back-to-back threat. If his long-iron play sharpens from here, his scoring floor is the highest it's been in a green jacket.
