The first time Rory McIlroy took the lead in a major, the next day didn’t go well. At the 2010 British Open, McIlroy followed up his opening-round 63 with an 80. The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland was undone by his youth and the ridiculous weather that can plague golf in the British Isles.
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With nothing but sun in the forecast this weekend at Augusta National, McIlroy won’t have to worry about the latter. After firing an opening-round 65 to tie for the lead with Alvaro Quiros, it’s only the former that he will battle as he tries to become the second player his age to win a Masters championship.
The first, of course, was Tiger Woods.
How difficult will it be for McIlroy to sleep in the lead? Not nearly as tough as if it were the first time.
“I think you’re always going to be nervous in a major championship,” McIlroy told reporters. “It’s very natural, and it’s a good thing. It means that you want it.”
Despite his tender years, McIlroy is ready to be a major champion, certainly more ready than Woods was when he captured the Masters in 1997. At the time, in six previous majors, Woods had not finished in the top 20. In nine majors, McIlroy has tied for third place three times.
But while McIlroy has more experience near the lead, he has not had Woods’ success closing the deal. McIlroy has one win each on the PGA and European tours, but that number is dwarfed by his top-five finishes (29).
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Woods said. “And as we all know he’s got a wonderful golf swing, and it’s just a matter of time before he starts winning a bunch of tournaments.
While McIlroy was lighting up Augusta on Thursday, Woods was shooting a 1-under-par 71, encouraging considering his recent results but hardly Tiger-like. It was his 15th straight round at par or better at Augusta, the best by far in the field.
Despite some wayward drives, Woods had an opportunity to go low but missed some makeable putts.
“I would rather be where Rory’s at,” Woods said. “We have a long grind ahead of us. The temperature’s supposed to warm up, and I’m sure they will start making the pins a little more difficult as the week goes on.”
