Almost all of the speak about Rory McIlroy within the build-up to this yr’s Masters associated to the pomp.
In comparability, dialogue about whether or not his recreation is there to safe a uncommon back-to-back Masters win felt considerably uncared for.
When final yr’s winner was lastly in a position to concentrate on his golf on Thursday, McIlroy reminded everybody he’s not in Augusta this week merely to serve up the Champions’ Dinner.
He is right here to play. And he’s right here to win.
The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland shares the first-round lead with American Sam Burns after carding a five-under par 67, guaranteeing anyone who was sleeping on his probabilities has been stirred.
McIlroy was amongst solely 16 gamers within the 91-man area to end below par, with circumstances anticipated to get even firmer and quicker over the subsequent three days.
England’s Justin Rose, who was agonisingly denied his first Green Jacket by McIlroy in a nerve-jangling play-off final yr, is three pictures behind the leaders and alongside world primary Scottie Scheffler on two below par.
“I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” mentioned McIlroy, who’s aiming to be part of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the one males to retain the Masters.
“It’s hard to say because there are still shots out there that you feel a little bit tight with, and you just have to stand up and commit to making a good swing and not worry about where it goes.
“But it is simpler for me to make these swings and never fear about the place it goes once I know that I can go to the champions’ locker room and placed on my Green Jacket.”
