Rory McIlroy’s strong start at the Masters took a turn for the worse as he faltered in the final stretch, resulting in two double bogeys in the last four holes. This setback saw him drop seven shots behind the current leader, Justin Rose, after the first round. Despite high expectations for McIlroy to excel at Augusta, his late struggles put him in a challenging position.
Initially performing well and maintaining a four-under score through 14 holes, McIlroy seemed competitive with the frontrunners, delivering a flawless round without any bogeys. However, his fortunes changed at the 15th hole with a double bogey, pushing him back to two under par.
McIlroy’s woes continued as he repeated the error at the 17th hole, incurring another double bogey that brought him back to even par for the round, placing him in a joint 26th position. This marks the seventh consecutive year that McIlroy has trailed by six or more strokes after the opening day, dimming his chances of achieving the Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Justin Rose expressed his determination to secure more Major victories after seizing the first-round lead at the Masters for a record fifth time. His impressive performance included eight birdies, resulting in an opening score of 65 and a three-shot lead as he finished his round.
Breaking the previous shared record with Jack Nicklaus, the 44-year-old emphasized his ambition to enhance his remarkable career by adding more Major championships. Rose highlighted his dedication to the sport, stating, “To win Majors is why I keep working, keep practicing, and make all the sacrifices by being away from my family. I still feel I have more Major championships in me, or even a couple. That is what inspires me.”
In a competitive field, defending champion and world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, delivered a solid performance with a bogey-free 68, placing him tied for second alongside Corey Connors and Ludvig Aberg. English golfer Tyrrell Hatton is within striking distance, trailing the lead by only four shots. Scheffler aims to join a prestigious group of golfers, including Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods, by successfully defending his title.
Reflecting on his unconventional move during his Masters debut, Jose Luis Ballester created a buzz by admitting to urinating into Rae’s Creek at Augusta National. In a light-hearted response, Ballester explained his impromptu decision, emphasizing his need for a restroom and the unexpected applause he received from onlookers. Despite the unusual incident, Ballester remained unfazed, expressing readiness to repeat the action if the situation arose again.
Playing alongside top golfers in his major debut, including Scheffler and Justin Thomas, the US Amateur champion faced a challenging round, finishing with a four-over 76.