Rory McIlroy heads into his second round at Augusta National this evening armed with some characteristically blunt wisdom from golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
"No effing double bogeys!" the Northern Irishman revealed Nicklaus had told him before Thursday's opening round. "Apparently he thought I made too many last year!"
The 36-year-old defending champion clearly took the advice to heart, firing a superb five-under par 67 to share the first-round lead with American Sam Burns.
McIlroy's opening effort represents his finest start at Augusta since 2011, marking just the third occasion he has broken 70 on day one.
Rory McIlroy is looking to make more Masters history this weekend
|REUTERS
The five-time major winner is now bidding to achieve something only three men have managed in the tournament's storied history.
Should McIlroy triumph on Sunday, he would join an elite group comprising Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the sole players to successfully defend the Green Jacket.
Lurking three strokes adrift on two under par are England's Justin Rose and world number one Scottie Scheffler.
Rose endured heartbreak at McIlroy's hands last year, losing out in a tense play-off that denied him his maiden Green Jacket.
McIlroy tees off at 6.44pm UK time this evening.
Rory McIlroy is bidding to win the Masters for the second year in a row | GETTYMcIlroy spoke candidly about his growing sense of belonging at Augusta following his breakthrough triumph twelve months ago.
"As I have played this tournament I have got more and more comfortable with the golf course and now I find myself more and more comfortable with where I sit in the tournament after winning last year," he explained.
"I feel like I belong a little bit more, I guess, and have that freedom."
The Northern Irishman acknowledged Thursday's performance must serve as a foundation for what lies ahead.
"Yesterday was a great day and I need to continue with it," McIlroy added. "Hopefully drive it a little bit better but play that way and think myself around the course."
McIlroy's round featured a cautious beginning before he discovered his rhythm midway through proceedings.
Picking up where he left off. Every shot from Rory McIlroy's first round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/y4M2SfkLKH
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2026
The catalyst proved to be a purple patch of five birdies spanning the eighth through fifteenth holes, propelling him up the leaderboard.
"I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one," McIlroy reflected.
"It's easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the champions' locker room and put on my Green Jacket."
His expectations, he noted, now centre on process rather than outcome.
"Did I make good decisions? Was I committed? Was I trusting?" he said.