Rory McIlroy shot a first round in the 60s for the first time since 2011 and notched just his fourth first or second round in the 60s ever at the Masters. His 3-under 69 was a great start, but he's still three down to Jordan Spieth after 18 holes. That pair are the two heaviest favorites to win this 2018 Masters, and nobody else is even close.
McIlroy went out hot with a birdie at the first and shot a 1-under 35 on the first nine. Then he made fairly straightforward after baking drives on Nos. 13 and 15. Clutch par saves on Nos. 16 and 18 kept a 69 together that could have just as easily been a 72.
They played together in 2016 in the final pairing on Saturday, and Spieth got the best of him before facing his own demons on Sunday's second nine. This year, only Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar stand between McIlroy and a potential Friday evening pairing announcement with Spieth going into the weekend.
