Can Rory McIlroy run it back at the Masters? His Round 1 performance says 'Yes'

The final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament was so exciting, why not run it back? The leading man still tops the bill for a possible sequel, plus a few more characters have been added for a star-studded cast. It sure looked familiar in Thursday’s first round of the 90th Masters as the two main protagonists from last year – eventual champion Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose – are part of the story line again.

McIlroy remains the star, but is sharing the stage with Sam Burns for now, after both shot 5-under-par 67s to lead the way. Rose is tied for sixth place at 70. Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion who eagled both par 5s on the first nine Thursday, heads a group at 69.

He’s joined at that figure by Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama, who led the field with eight birdies. Burns, considered one of the top putters in the game, took 31 putts but he hit 16 greens in regulation to lead the field. He and Kitayama have something in common – neither has played well in previous Masters.

In four starts, Burns has missed the cut twice and tied for 29th and 46th. Kitayama has missed the cut and tied for 35th in two starts. Next in line, four shots off the lead with 70s, are Rose, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.