Arabic version: روري ماكلروي يتقاسم الصدارة بعد بداية قوية في ماسترز 2026

Rory McIlroy made a confident start to his title defense at the Masters 2026, sharing the first-round lead with American Sam Burns after carding a five-under par 67. The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland’s performance has stirred discussions about his chances of securing back-to-back wins at Augusta, a feat only achieved by a select few in the tournament’s history. According to BBC News, McIlroy was among only 16 players in the 91-man field to finish under par, showcasing his determination and skill on the course.

McIlroy’s opening round marked his lowest start at Augusta since 2011, and he attributed this success to a newfound freedom following his victory last year. “I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” McIlroy stated, emphasizing his focus on making good decisions and trusting his swing. His five birdies, especially on critical par-fives, highlighted his ability to recover from less-than-ideal tee shots.

Justin Rose, who was agonisingly denied his first Green Jacket by McIlroy in a nerve-jangling play-off last year, finished three shots behind the leaders at two under par. Despite facing challenges, Rose maintained a positive outlook, reflecting on the importance of building on a solid start. World number one Scottie Scheffler also made a strong showing, finishing with a solid 70 after an eagle on the second hole.

In contrast, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre struggled significantly, ending his round with an eight-over par 80, which included a quadruple bogey. MacIntyre’s performance fell short of expectations, especially after recent strong finishes in other tournaments.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on McIlroy to see if he can maintain his momentum and contend for another Green Jacket, while other competitors will seek to close the gap in the coming rounds.