Rory McIlroy starts off right in quest for Masters history

Rory McIlroy started his round Thursday like no other in his history at the Masters Tournament.

And he didn’t even know it.

McIlroy birdied the first hole for the first time in his 35 rounds at Augusta National Golf Club, using the fast start as the catalyst for a strong 3-under 69.

It's only the second time he has broken 70 in the first round of his 10 Masters efforts and it left him in a seven-way tie for fourth place.

“Is it?” the 28-year-old McIlroy replied when told of his first bridie at No. 1. “It seems like I birdie it every time in practice.”

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McIlroy might not have known his own history, but he certainly knew what breaking 70 meant. He sits three strokes behind leader Jordan Spieth.

“It was a good round,” McIlroy said. “I got off to the perfect start making the three at the first and I stayed really patient. I didn’t try to force things. ... I think anything in the 60s today was a good score.” 

McIlroy said earlier in the week that a fast start is critical to his success.

“It’s not like anybody is really getting away,” McIlroy said. “I know Jordan had a pretty strong finish. This is my best start in a few years. It’s such a hard golf course to play catch-up on. I think when you start to chase it around here that’s when you start to make mistakes.

“To have the ability to keep telling myself to stay patience because of the position I’m in is a nice luxury to have.”

Even though McIlroy made birdies at Nos. 1, 8, 13 and 15, he said the highlight of his round was closing out with three pars, including making a breaking tester at No. 17.

“The putts on 16 and 17 were both big, then the up-and-down at 18, all those were all big for momentum,” McIlroy said. “I don’t feel like I’m going out trying to get those two shots back tomorrow morning. I can be relaxed going on the first tee and not trying to chase those birdies."