In the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns both shot 5-under-par 67s, placing them at the top of the leaderboard. Justin Rose, a previous contender, is tied for sixth with a score of 70. Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, is also in the mix, finishing with a score of 69. McIlroy, who won the Masters the previous year, expressed that winning makes it easier to compete for a second title. He acknowledged the nerves that come with the first round of a major tournament but stated that feeling anxious is a positive sign of his competitive spirit. The course conditions were challenging this year, with the average score being 74.65, indicating a tougher setup compared to last year's 73.59. As McIlroy aims for his sixth major title, he is joined by a competitive field, including players like Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama, who are also looking to make their mark at this prestigious event.