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Rory McIlroy Opens Masters Title Defense with 67 After Jack Nicklaus Touts His Chances to Repeat

Defending champion Rory McIlroy shot a five-under 67 on Thursday to share the clubhouse lead with American Sam Burns at the Masters, recovering from an early struggle with 11 pars and six birdies.
Seeking to become the fourth man to retain the green jacket at Augusta National, McIlroy began his title defense feeling "so much more relaxed" after playing the tournament 18 times.
After struggling with his driving early, McIlroy birdied the eighth and ninth holes consecutively to turn in two under, then recovered from a fairway bunker on the 18th to secure his position.
Patrick Reed and Kurt Kitayama finished two shots behind the leaders with matching 69s, while 2023 champion Jon Rahm and world number one Scottie Scheffler began their rounds later in the day.
Coverage of the 2026 Masters continues through Sunday at Augusta, with Prime Video providing streaming for Thursday and Friday rounds before Paramount+ and CBS take over for the weekend.

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South China Morning Post

Center

Rory McIlroy claims share of early lead in hunt for back-to-back Masters wins

Defending champion shoots 5-under-par 67 to sit on top of leaderboard alongside Sam Burns after first round in Augusta.

3 days ago·Hong Kong

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The Journal

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The42

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Rory McIlroy shares lead at the Masters after helter-skelter 67

McIlroy and Sam Burns top the leaderboard, with Shane Lowry tied for sixth after a strong opening day.

3 days ago·Ireland

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OC Register

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Rory McIlroy opens Masters title defense with 67, share of 1st-round lead

McIlroy shoots his lowest opening round at Augusta National since 2011 and shares the lead with Sam Burns as he attempts to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters. Only five players broke 70, and only 16 players broke par.

3 days ago·Orange County, United States

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Sydney Morning Herald

+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

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It started ‘scrappy’. Then Rory McIlroy took the clubhouse lead

Rafael Nadal was among the fans who watched reigning champion Rory McIlroy seize a share of the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the 2026 Masters at Augusta.

3 days ago·Sydney, Australia

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InsideNoVA.com

Center

'Scrappy' McIlroy leans on experience for share of Masters lead

Rory McIlroy only found five of 14 fairways in Thursday's first round of the Masters but still managed to grab a share of the lead with his best Augusta start since 2011.

3 days ago

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ESPN

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Lean Left

Pressure eased, Rory co-leads in Masters defense

Rory McIlroy did not, by his standards, play his best golf in the opening round yet still managed a 5-under 67, good for a share of the early lead with Sam Burns and his lowest opening round at the Masters since 2011.

3 days ago·United States

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