US Masters 2026: McIlroy shines at the start, Rahm experiences a debacle

There are moments when time seems to stand still at Augusta National Golf Club. But while the sun beats down relentlessly on the legendary Fairways, a whole new dynamic prevails at the 2026 US Masters. At the center of it all: a defending champion who has traded in his inner demons for a bottle of lemonade. Rory McIlroy laid the foundations for a historic title defense with an impressive round of 67 (-5).

Find the US Masters 2026 leaderboard and live scoring here.

The liberated champion at the US Masters 2026

Anyone who thought McIlroy would buckle under the pressure of the back-to-back mission was proved wrong on Thursday. Despite trembling hands on the first tee, the Northern Irishman exuded an aplomb that he often lacked in previous years. "I'm grateful that I still felt as nervous as ever," McIlroy told the US media.

His game was by no means perfect; only 36 percent of his tee shots found the Fairway. But McIlroy saved himself with tactical finesse and a brilliant short game. He summed up his new composure in a set that already enjoys cult status: "It's easier to make these swings when I know that at the end of the day I can go into the champions' dressing room, put on my green jacket and drink a Coke Zero."

Find the US Masters 2026 Tee Times here.

Drama at the "Firethorn": when dreams sink into the water

But the US Masters 2026 also showed its merciless side on the first day. The 15th hole in particular, christened the "Firethorn", turned into an executioner. With an average score of 5.12 strokes, it was the most difficult Par-5 in over two decades.

Golf legend Fred Couples was hit particularly hard. The 66-year-old, who had enchanted the public with two under Par until then, experienced his own personal Waterloo on the 15th. After two balls in the water, he recorded a "9" on the scorecard. "After that, the air was completely gone," admitted a visibly drawn Couples. Scotsman Robert MacIntyre also had to accept a bitter nine on this hole and bowed out of the group of favorites for the time being with a round of 80.

Sunny but scary: Augusta National as a tactical test of maturity

The conditions at this year's US Masters 2026 demanded everything from the players. As no rain has fallen for days, the greens are in a condition that professionals describe as "crispy". The first purple discoloration of the grass signals extreme hardness and speed.

"This could be the toughest Masters in a long time," warned Ireland's Shane Lowry, who scored the highlight of the day with an Eagle from 99 yards on the 13th. Xander Schauffele (-2) also had to fight - and was lucky: his ball landed directly in the shopping bag of a spectator after a mishit shot, which saved him a difficult situation.

A black Thursday for Jon Rahm

While McIlroy is laughing, Jon Rahm is perplexed. The 2023 champion had a start to forget at the 2026 US Masters. Without a single Birdie and with a 78 (+6) in his bag, the Spaniard now faces the mammoth task of even making the cut. "To be honest, I still don't know what happened," commented a taciturn Rahm on his debacle.

Outlook: Who will take the Green Jacket?

Statistically speaking, the field of potential winners has already shrunk drastically. 18 of the last 20 champions were in the top 10 after the first round. Alongside McIlroy, Sam Burns (-5), who made masterful use of the Par-5 holes, is particularly worthy of note. Scottie Scheffler is also in contention with two under Par.

For golf fans around the world, the US Masters 2026 promises to be a weekend of extremes. If the sun continues to turn Augusta into an oven, the winner will not be the strongest long hitter, but the one with the coolest nerves - and perhaps a Coke Zero in his bag.