Rory McIlroy had 5 birdies however a double-bogey on the seventh and three extra dropped photographs noticed him card an even-par 72; Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka share the lead at seven below; Watch the second spherical solely dwell on Friday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf
Final Up to date: 07/04/23 1:48am
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Rory McIlroy claims he paid the worth for untidiness off the tee and suggests the opening spherical 72 at Augusta Nationwide felt like a “scramble all day”
Rory McIlroy claims he paid the worth for untidiness off the tee and suggests the opening spherical 72 at Augusta Nationwide felt like a “scramble all day”
Rory McIlroy was left annoyed by an “untidy” opening spherical at The Masters that has him seven photographs off the tempo heading into Friday at Augusta Nationwide.
McIlroy has fallen foul of sluggish begins earlier than at The Masters and has as soon as once more left himself an uphill job to show issues round after an even-par 72 on day one.
McIlroy carded 5 birdies in his spherical, however a double-bogey on the seventh proved pricey, whereas there have been additional photographs dropped on the third, eleventh and seventeenth holes.
“It felt like a little bit of a scramble all day, to be trustworthy,” McIlroy instructed Sky Sports activities.
Rory McIlroy is seven photographs off the lead after an even-par opening spherical of 72 at Augusta
“I missed a few tee photographs left and paid the worth for that on seven and 17. I used to be just a bit bit untidy in another areas as nicely.
“I made sufficient birdies, I normally at all times do this, it is nearly protecting errors off the cardboard. As we speak I did not fairly do this.
“I salvaged an even-par spherical. There’s nonetheless 54 holes of golf left and lots of issues can occur.”
McIlroy, who was a part of one of many final teams out on the course, admitted that the low scoring of Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm from earlier within the day did play on his thoughts. They have been finally joined by Brooks Koepka in a three-way tie for the lead at seven below.
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Highlights from the primary spherical of the 2023 Masters at Augusta Nationwide
Highlights from the primary spherical of the 2023 Masters at Augusta Nationwide
With storms anticipated at Augusta over the approaching days, it is unlikely that scoring goes to be as straightforward because it proved for some on day one, however McIlroy is hoping he can get forward of the climate together with his earlier tee-off time on Friday and mount a cost up the leaderboard.
“You have bought three guys at seven below on the leaderboard, so it is arduous to remain affected person once you simply wish to attempt to get your self in there,” McIlroy instructed the media after his opening spherical.
“I did not really feel like I used to be too far-off at the moment. I am most likely two or three photographs behind how I would prefer to be, however nothing that is not insurmountable.
“I’ve bought a fast turnaround in a single day and I am wanting ahead to getting again on the course fairly shortly and clearly making an attempt to get myself again within the thick of issues.
“Hopefully we get some first rate circumstances within the morning and I can shoot one thing within the mid-60s and get myself again within the event.”
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Rory McIlroy supplied unbelievable perception for viewers by talking to commentators whereas taking part in the par-four ninth gap at Augusta Nationwide through the opening spherical of the 2023 Masters
Rory McIlroy supplied unbelievable perception for viewers by talking to commentators whereas taking part in the par-four ninth gap at Augusta Nationwide through the opening spherical of the 2023 Masters
Throughout his spherical, McIlroy quite surprisingly supplied some unbelievable perception for viewers by talking to the host broadcasters whereas taking part in the par-four ninth gap.
Requested how the chance took place, McIlroy mentioned: “I believed it might be a cool factor to do.
“I did it in Austin [at the WGC Match Play] and did not really feel prefer it took me out of my rhythm in any approach or made me take into consideration issues an excessive amount of.
“It is good to offer the viewers at residence a little bit bit extra perception into what is going on on out right here.”
Scheffler: I did not take into consideration being defending champion
Reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler finds himself once more within the combine with a strong four-under opening spherical of 68, although he did let a number of gettable birdie alternatives get away throughout his spherical.
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World No 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler made an eagle on the second gap throughout his first spherical of the 2023 Masters
World No 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler made an eagle on the second gap throughout his first spherical of the 2023 Masters
Requested whether or not it felt any totally different taking part in the golf course because the defending champion, Scheffler mentioned: “I did not give it some thought actually in any respect at the moment.
“The one motive I’d consider being the defending champion is as a result of I used to be taking part in with [amateur] Sam Bennett.
“Simply because I am defending doesn’t suggest I begin any extra below par. Beginning at even, it was nearly going on the market and getting settled into the spherical, which I did a superb job of.
“I bought lots of seems early, made some good par putts there on six and 7, however did not see a lot go in the remainder of the day.
“However four-under is a strong begin to the week.”
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