Rory McIlroy is officially in position to win his first green jacket.
McIlroy carded a strong three-under 69 in Thursday's first round of the 2018 Masters Tournament to put himself in a tie for fourth place heading into the clubhouse. He is four strokes behind leader Jordan Spieth, who roared out of the gate at his favorite major to finish at seven under.
McIlroy carded four birdies with just one bogey, spending most of his afternoon taking advantage of par fives on the Augusta course. He played the long holes at three under and all others at even par, parring every par-three and trading off a birdie on No.