Rory McIlroy won the Masters last year, ending an 11-year wait for a fifth major and completing the career Grand Slam. He became the sixth man in history to achieve that feat, beating Justin Rose in a playoff to secure the victory. According to www.aol.co.uk, McIlroy described that triumph as winning two things: the Masters itself and the historic company it placed him alongside.
McIlroy shot a five-under 67 in the first round of the 2026 Masters, sharing the lead with Sam Burns, according to multiple reports. His tee time for the first two rounds was 10:31am local time (3:31pm BST), paired with Cameron Young and Mason Howell, sources said. Mason Howell, the 2025 US Amateur winner who admires McIlroy as his idol, is among those playing alongside the defending champion.
McIlroy feels freed up and more relaxed after winning the Masters, with less pressure and expectation, he said. He arrived early at Augusta for the 2026 Masters to perform ceremonial duties, unlike previous years, McIlroy noted. According to www.aol.co.uk, McIlroy described this as the first time driving down Magnolia Lane focused on enjoying the week and the perks of being a Masters champion. McIlroy said the lesson he had learned from last year's final round was to play his natural game, according to research.
McIlroy is aiming to win back-to-back Masters titles, which would make him the fourth player to do so after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. Research indicates only three people – Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – have won the Masters back-to-back. There are just 18 multiple winners in the Masters' 91-year history, according to research.
Tiger Woods is not playing in the 2026 Masters due to a car crash and legal issues, and is undergoing treatment in Switzerland, multiple reports indicate. Phil Mickelson is not playing in the 2026 Masters due to a family health matter, sources said.
McIlroy is 36 years old, according to multiple reports. He experienced a lull in performance after winning the Masters, including a tied 47th at the 2025 US PGA Championship, sources indicated. McIlroy has one major win shy of Nick Faldo's European record of six, reports show.
McIlroy has impressed Augusta National members with his behavior as defending champion, including promoting the Masters globally and participating in events, according to Brad Faxon. Shane Lowry shot a two-under 70 in the first round and commented positively on McIlroy's performance, he said.
McIlroy started last year’s final round with a two-shot advantage only to immediately lose it after a double bogey, research shows. He was three clear as he walked down the par-five 13th fairway in last year's final round, according to research. McIlroy tried to play conservatively to protect his lead on the 13th hole and promptly dumped a 90-yard pitch into Rae’s Creek for another double bogey, research indicates. He immediately followed the double bogey on 13 with another dropped shot on the 14th hole, research shows. McIlroy's approach to almost eagle the par-five 15th hole was memorably brilliant in a less-than-straightforward finish, according to research.
Justin Rose is three shots behind the leaders after the first round, tied with Scottie Scheffler at two under par, multiple reports indicate.
No Masters rookie has won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, according to multiple reports. Scottie Scheffler is the last man to join the club of multiple Masters winners in 2024, research shows. Since Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket in 2010, there have been only three champions who are multiple winners: Bubba Watson (2014), Tiger Woods (2019), and Scottie Scheffler, according to research.
The Masters field has 91 players, sources said.