McIlroy has another reason to celebrate after his best Masters start in 15 years to share early lead

Rory McIlroy has been celebrating all week at Augusta National as the defending champion, and on Thursday he found something else to savour — a 5-under 67, his lowest start at the Masters in 15 years to share the early lead with Sam Burns.

McIlroy settled in after a slow start. He blistered a 3-wood out of the first cut over the hill and onto the green at the par-5 eighth to set up an easy birdie, a swing that brought a little more freedom the rest of the way.

But then, nothing is more freeing than finally having a Masters green jacket.

"I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one. I do," McIlroy said. "It's hard to say because there's still shots out there that you feel a little bit tight with, and you just have to stand up and commit to making a good swing and not worry about really where it goes.

"But I think it's easier for me 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 at the end of the day."

Burns was among the early starters. He played the par 5s with three birdies and an eagle and wound up with his lowest score in his fifth Masters appearance.

"Historically, people who have success here play the par 5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So it's a good recipe around this golf course," Burns said.

The gorgeous blue sky and only moderate wind by Augusta standards had the look of a pleasant day for all, except the players know better. If the forecast holds, it could be the first Masters in 25 years without rain. That means firm greens, a fast course and frayed nerves.

"I think this could be the toughest Masters we've played in a while," Shane Lowry said after a 70. "They can do whatever they