In Augusta, Georgia, Rory McIlroy’s promising start turned sour with two unfortunate bounces during the opening round of the Masters. Despite being 4-under par and within striking distance of the lead, McIlroy’s round unraveled with back-to-back double bogeys, leaving him at even-par 72 and seven shots behind. Seeking a career Grand Slam, McIlroy’s struggles at Augusta National are well-documented, as he has only broken 70 twice in his 17 opening rounds. Amid high expectations and a supportive gallery, McIlroy’s round took a turn for the worse on the par-5 15th hole, where a wayward chip led to a costly double bogey. Despite the setbacks, legends like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson believe in McIlroy’s abilities, emphasizing his talent but also acknowledging his occasional struggles with big numbers on the scorecard.
