Golf - US Masters update:Rory McIlroy leads the 2011 US Masters after sparkling first round of 65 at Augusta National. The 21-year-old Irishman held a two-shot lead over South Koraen YE Yang after carding seven birdies in a flawless first 18 holes, but Pádraig Harrington had a nightmare round of 77 after injuring himself during his warm up.
The Holywood golfer reached the turn in 32, thanks to birdies at the second, third, fourth and ninth and never looked back. Three more birdies followed at 11, 14 and 15. Had he holed birdie putts at 17 and 18 he would have equalled the course record of 63, set by Nick Price in 1986 and replicated by Greg Norman in 1996.
"It was good, it was very good," McIlroy told Sky Sportsafterwards. "It was more solid than spectacular. I picked my spots and stayed committed to where I wanted to hit the ball.
“I stuck to my game plan rather well.”
Asked whether he had to curb his natural aggression and play smarter than he has in the past, he added: “Yeah definitely, but the thing to remember round here is, once you pick your target you have to be aggressive with that target.”
Yang went close to joining McIlroy on seven under but bogeys at the 17th and 18th meant he had to settle for second place heading into Friday. He was one ahead of American Matt Kuchar who was at five under before a bogey at the 16th saw him settle for a 68.
Things went terribly for Harrington after he suffered a recurrence of an old neck injury when practicing left-handed. Consecutive birdies at 15 and 16 brought him back to three over and appeared to have steadied his round before a double bogey at the last saw him finish on five over. World number one Martin Kaymer went one worse with a 78 and both players need big rounds tomorrow to avoid missing the cut.
US Open champion Graeme McDowell was finished with a 74, three adrift of playing partner Tiger Woods, while defending champion Phil Mickelson was one under through 12.
Ross Fisher was in the first group of the day at 7.45am and from one over after four charged to four under before bogeying the 17th and being joined on three under by Brandt Snedeker, Charl Schwartzel and, late in the day, Sergio Garcia.
On his 2009 debut in the event the 30-year-old stormed out in front on the opening day at five under after 16, but bogeyed the last two for "only" a 69 and eventually finished down in 30th spot.
"I'm walking off a little bit disappointed after not making birdies at the two par fives on the back nine and then dropping a shot," he said, but it was still a fine start and his memories of the day will also include watching Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus - now 81 and 71 - hitting ceremonial opening drives as honorary starters.
"It was a special treat," said Fisher, given a slow play warning midway through his round. "They are two legends and they showed they've still got it."
Retief Goosen flew out of the traps with an eagle two at the first and added birdies at the third, fourth and eighth to turn in 31. He parred the 10th but back-to-back bogeys from the 11th dropped him back to three under.
After bouncing back with two birdies, he promptly undid all his good work with three bogeys fromt 16 to finish with a 70, alongside Sean O'Hair and Camillo Villegas.
