At the 90th Masters, Rory McIlroy surged into contention after a slow start, rallying with five birdies over eight holes to reach 5-under and share the clubhouse lead with Sam Burns. Despite admitting he didn’t play his best early, McIlroy credited smart decision-making and avoiding costly mistakes for his strong finish.
The performance marks a stark contrast to last year, when he trailed early before eventually winning the tournament in a playoff against Justin Rose. It also represents his first overnight lead at Augusta since 2011, when he famously collapsed in the final round. Now 36 and far more experienced, McIlroy appears better equipped to handle the pressure.