Rory McIlroy had mixed emotions after shooting a one-under-par 71 on a windswept first day of the 88th Masters.
McIlroy carded four birdies and three bogeys in his lowest opening round since 2018, but ended the day five shots behind playing partner Scottie Scheffler and six adrift of clubhouse leader Bryson DeChambeau.
Shane Lowry is level par through 16; he will return to the course to finish his first round at lunchtime on Friday.
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"It's satisfying in one sense because it's a decent start compared to the way I've played here recently, but I felt like it could have been two or three better," McIlroy, who is making his 10th attempt to win a green jacket and complete the career grand slam, said.
"I got off to a slow start so to bounce back and string a nice round of golf together over the next 12 or 13 holes was very nice," added McIlroy, speaking to RTE Sport's Greg Allen after his round.
"I'm rueing the finish a little bit, but overall it was a steady round of golf, a little scrappy here and there but it was good to get in under par.
"It's a validation of my mindset coming in here. I didn’t feel like I was at my best at all out there but I was able to manage my game and get in the round and keep it under par, which was good because in previous years I haven’t been able to do that, and then you are really trying to play catch-up from there, and playing catch-up on this golf course is pretty difficult.
"I think after the slow start making a few birdies around the turn was good. A little wasteful coming in. I had a good chance for birdie on 15 in the middle of the fairway and didn't take that.
"Missed a shortish one on 16 and then the bogey on 17. But overall still not a bad score, and obviously a lot of golf left to play."
On a blustery day, McIlroy said that he was happy to compete in such difficult conditions as it keeps the field together and he is looking forward to building a round on Friday, confident that he can shoot in the 60s if he can play his best golf.
McIlroy expects playing partner and world number one Scheffler to continue in the same vein, however, he remains confident and is looking to be well placed going into the weekend.
"I'm definitely not out of the tournament and not chasing anything tomorrow. I'm playing with Scottie so can keep an eye on what he's doing and I'm looking forward to getting back out there.
"If you look at Scottie compared to the rest of the field, the amount of bogey-free rounds he shoots is phenomenal, and that's the secret to winning major championships.
"I made three bogeys today, which is fine out there in these conditions, but just need to tidy it up a little bit to try to keep up with him.
"I like these conditions in major championships because you don't feel the field will get away from you too much.
"Scottie played a lovely round of golf today and there is a good likelihood he will play something similar tomorrow, but I just have to play my own game and I know if I play the way that I know I can play right now, I can shoot something in the 60s and be in a good position going into the weekend."
Lowry is one stroke further back from McIlroy on even par with two holes still to complete in his opening round.
Lowry's round concluded with a seven-foot birdie putt missed on 16, his delicate stroke somehow remaining high of the hole.
It typified the first round for Lowry, who often drove the ball beautifully but struggled to capitalise on his chances.
The 2019 Open champion began impressively but could only register two birdies, at the first and 13th, with dropped strokes at five and seven.
Additional reporting: PA
