Woods has lead in sights after solid Masters start

Rory McIlroy’s Masters bid was off to a solid start at Augusta National last night as he continued his newfound form into the opening major of the year.

The 23-year-old PGA champion from Holywood, under pressure for most of the early season having switched clubs and golf ball manufacturer at the start of the year at the same time as his swing unravelled, had rediscovered his touch last weekend in San Antonio when his last-minute decision to play in the Valero Texas Open rather than take a week off before the Masters was repaid with a closing-round 66 and a second-placed finish.

The good times continued to roll yesterday in Georgia as McIlroy launched his campaign to win back-to-back majors and complete the third leg of a career majors grand slam.