Record-Chasing McIlroy Cried at 15th Hole [Masters]

Even-Par Start, Tied for 27th in Masters Round 1
Cruising at 4-Under Before Approach Error Leads to Double Bogey
Rose Leads, Scheffler Second, Im Sungjae in 11th

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who is challenging the career Grand Slam, was held back at the 15th hole (par 5) of Augusta National.

On the 10th (local time) at Augusta National Golf Club (par 72, 7,555 yards) in Augusta, Georgia, USA, the first major tournament of the year, the 89th Masters Tournament, kicked off. McIlroy shot an even-par 72 in the first round and stood tied for 27th place.

Rory McIlroy is waiting for his turn to shoot on the fairway of the 15th hole in the first round of the Masters. Augusta=AP Yonhap News Photo by AP

McIlroy recorded four birdies and two double bogeys. He played perfectly with four birdies through 14 holes, but his third shot near the green on the 15th hole went too long and landed in the water on the opposite side. After taking a one-stroke penalty and hitting three more shots, he holed out with a double bogey. On the 17th hole (par 4), his tee shot pulled left, and he missed a short par putt, losing another two strokes. He is seven strokes behind the leader.

If McIlroy wins this tournament, he will achieve the career Grand Slam by winning all four different major championships. Only five players have achieved this great feat: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA). McIlroy has previously won the US Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), and The Open Championship (2014). His best previous Masters finish was runner-up in 2022.

Justin Rose (England) surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 7-under-par 65. World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler (USA) started strong, tied for second place at 4-under-par 68, three strokes behind. Corey Conners (Canada) and Ludvig ?berg (Sweden) are also tied for second, while Bryson DeChambeau (USA) is tied for fifth at 3-under-par 69.

Im Sung-jae is teeing off at the 15th hole in the first round of the Masters. Augusta - Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

From Korea, Im Sung-jae, the runner-up in this tournament in 2020, posted the best score. He recorded three birdies and two bogeys, finishing tied for 11th place at 1-under-par 71, along with Minwoo Lee (Australia), Brian Harman, and Fred Couples (both USA). Kim Joo-hyung finished tied for 35th at 1-over-par 73, and An Byeong-hun ended the first round tied for 54th at 2-over-par 74.