Rory McIlroy returned to this year’s Masters a defending champion — and it’s clear the Northern Irishman is feeling more relaxed as a green jacket holder.
McIlroy began his attempted title defense Thursday in impressive fashion, scoring five-under on the first day to top the leaderboard alongside American Sam Burns.
And in an interview with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt following the round, McIlroy provided a window into his laid-back approach — and described what it’s like to be a part of the champions’ locker room at Augusta National.
“It’s amazing. Sometimes I still have to catch myself and be like, ‘Yeah, I do get to come back here every year,’” he said.
“It’s such a thrill to be up there with all the other champions, and we all had a great night on Tuesday night, which really was the thrill of a lifetime for me to be able to host that dinner.
“I’ll probably go up there right now and have a little drink, and put my green jacket on and then call it a day.”
With the pressure of winning his first Masters finally off of his shoulders, McIlroy picked up right where he left off last year, sinking six birdies Thursday.
He never shot worse than par following a bogey on the third hole, and looked hugely comfortable on a course which has at times tormented him throughout his career.
“Rory may never lose this thing again, after last year,” Fred Couples told Golf.com. “I said that on about the 12th hole to my caddie.”
McIlroy, too, acknowledged that he was playing freer at Augusta following his stunning, sudden death win over Justin Rose last year.
“Winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” he said.
“I think it’s easier to make those swings and not worry about where it goes, when I know that I can go to the champions’ locker room and put my green jacket on and have a Coke Zero at the end of the day.”
Behind McIlroy and Burns, Kurt Kitayama, Jason Day and Patrick Reed all had impressive first days as well, finishing the first round at 3-under.
And Wyndham Clark was also up to 3-under at the time of writing after a blazing start to Friday.
McIlroy is set to tee off at 1:44pm ET on Friday.