McIlroy Ties for Lead with 67 in Masters Defense

AUGUSTA, Ga. Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy launched his title defense with a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday, tying Sam Burns for the early lead at Augusta National and positioning himself among the favorites to become only the fourth player in history to win consecutive green jackets.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman, who completed the career Grand Slam with a playoff victory over Justin Rose last year, admitted to feeling familiar nerves on the first tee. His right hand shook as he placed his ball, a sensation he described as welcome. "I was anxious just like I always am," McIlroy said. "I'm thankful that I felt the same. I think it would be worrisome if I didn't feel that way because it definitely still means something to me."

Despite not striking the ball at his peak, McIlroy demonstrated patience and course knowledge, mixing six birdies with a single bogey. He missed 9 of 14 fairways but avoided major trouble, saving par on several occasions after wayward drives. His front nine yielded a 34, highlighted by birdies on the second and eighth holes, though he dropped a shot on the par-4 third after a conservative tee shot. On the back, McIlroy birdied the par-5 13th and...