Ask Onix
McIlroy and Burns tied atop Augusta leaderboard
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and American Sam Burns carded five-under-par 67s on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the 2026 Masters.
McIlroy's precision offsets errant drives
After starting the day with a level-par 36, McIlroy stormed back with five birdies between the eighth and 15th holes. His 67 marked his lowest opening round at Augusta since 2011 and only the third sub-70 score of his career on day one.
Despite hitting just five of 14 fairways, McIlroy capitalized on all four par-fives, converting birdies even after missing the short grass. His lone blemish-a three-putt bogey on the par-four third-did little to derail his momentum.
"It's a great start, but there's a long way to go. It's better than being seven shots back like I was last year."
Rory McIlroy
Rose and Scheffler lurk three shots back
England's Justin Rose, who lost a playoff to McIlroy in 2025, sits at two under after a late stumble. Rose bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes to finish one stroke ahead of world number one Scottie Scheffler, who opened with a 70.
Scheffler's round included an eagle on the second hole, though he failed to add to his tally thereafter. Fellow American Tommy Fleetwood surged early with four birdies in his first nine holes but faded to a 71 after back-nine bogeys.
MacIntyre's meltdown mars leaderboard
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre carded an eight-over 80, highlighted by a quadruple-bogey nine on the 15th hole. The 29-year-old left-hander, a recent contender at the Players Championship, now faces potential disciplinary action after visibly losing his composure.
Defending champion Jon Rahm struggled to a six-over 78, his worst Masters round to date. LIV teammate Bryson DeChambeau posted a 76, undone by a triple-bogey seven on the 11th hole.
Conditions set to toughen over weekend
Only 16 of the 91-player field finished under par on Thursday. Augusta National's greens are expected to firm up further, testing even the most seasoned contenders.
McIlroy, aiming to become just the fourth player to successfully defend a Masters title, acknowledged the mental edge his 2025 victory provided. "It's easier to make swings when you know you can put on the Green Jacket," he said.
