AUGUSTA, Ga. — Only 18 holes into the 90th Masters and the tournament is already shaping into a stern test. A favorable forecast has firmed Augusta National: fast, bouncy fairways and drying greens are primed to separate pretenders from contenders as the course tightens over the weekend.
Rory McIlroy opened with a 5-under 67 to share the lead and is chasing history — the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001. McIlroy downplayed how clean his round felt, saying he hit just five of 14 fairways and thought he should have been closer to 2 under, but his short game and confidence after completing the career grand slam last year have him loose and dangerous.
“I said this when I came in on Tuesday: I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” McIlroy said. “I think it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the Champions Locker Room and put my green jacket on and have a Coke Zero at the end of the day.”
Scottie Scheffler carded a steady 2-under 70 and remains a threat, while Justin Rose’s 70—coming after his near-miss here last year—showed he can grind around Augusta. Patrick Reed,
