Not a bad start from Rory McIlroy was it? It was his second-best start at Augusta National and considering he is five shots better off then last year then that bodes very well indeed for him.

Only three players have ever successfully defended the Masters title, can Rory make it four?

P.S can you name the other three? Let us know using the feedback form...

We heard from Tom McKibbin saying how tough it was yesterday, but today hasn't started out any easier as he's just found out in two holes.

McKibbin dropped a shot on the first and has just now carded a double-bogey seven on the second so he's already slipped back to six over for the tournament.

Bogeys on the last two holes were a bit of a gut punch for Justin Rose, but he's been hit harder than that at the Masters and come back firing.

The three-time runner-up will no doubt come back strong again today as he looks to finally get a Green Jacket.

Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin reflects on a "tough" three-over par opening round of 75 on his Masters debut.

McKibbin carded five bogeys and two birdies and sits eight shots off the lead. That's not actually too bad a round though on his Masters debut in such tough conditions.

And maybe we should just take a moment and think how incredible it is that two players from Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland are actually in the Masters field together. Amazing.

Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy tells BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson "I couldn't have asked for more" with an opening round of five under par.

McIlroy finished day one at Augusta National level with Sam Burns and feels winning the title last year "makes it easier to handle difficult situations".

You could just tell by the way his was swinging it on Thursday that a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Image source, Getty Images

The scoring average on Thursday was 74.65, which is the highest first round mark since the 2017 Masters (74.98) and shows that those who predicted it could be tough going this week were absolutely right.

Ludvig Aberg and Jon Rahm were just two big names who struggled - Rahm in particular - and if this continues we could have the hardest overall Masters in some time looking at recent tournament scoring averages.

In 2019 and 2020 we had the first ever back-to-back Masters with the field scoring average under par - however, that 2020 event was held in November during Covid so the course was soft and far easier than usual.

Masters tournament scoring averages:

• 2019: 71.87
• 2020: 71.75
• 2021: 73.06
• 2022: 73.95
• 2023: 72.96
• 2024: 73.91
• 2025: 72.81
• 2026: 74.65 (first round)

Shane Lowry is three shots off the lead after an opening-round 70 which had its ups the downs - the highlight being an eagle on the 13th.

But the Irishman thinks the dry forecast means they're in for a real test over the weekend.

"I think this could be the toughest Masters we've played in a while. You look at the forecast. They can do whatever they want with the golf course this weekend," he said.

"I think over the last few years we've had a day every year where it's been raining or it's been heavy rains. It's kind of helped us a little bit, but I think before the week is out, it's going to get very, very crusty around here."

Use the feedback form to share your thoughts.

Image source, Getty Images

Robert MacIntyre could be in a spot of bother after he directed a middle finger at the 15th green during a quadruple bogey yesterday.

The left-hander pulled out the gesture after hitting his approach into the pond guarding the front of the green, before his next shot again found the water resulting in a second drop.

MacIntyre also slammed his club into the ground on 17 and unsurprisingly did not speak to the media after posting an eight-over-par 80.

Shane Lowry finished his opening round at The Masters two under par with the help of an eagle on the 13th he says "was nice to pull it off".

The Irish golfer was speaking to BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson after his round, joking that Rory McIlroy - who enjoyed a good start to his defence of the title - will "probably kick on now and win about four in a row".

Can anyone stop Rory McIlroy retaining his Masters title?

Let's see who you think will win the Green Jacket after watching that first round, when we've surely lost Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau from contention.

Use the Get Involved button to send us your thoughts on the winner and suggest any alternatives to our poll.

With the pomp and celebration of his Masters victory finished, Rory McIlroy reminded everyone he is back to win again.

When last year's winner was finally able to focus on his golf on Thursday, McIlroy reminded everyone he is not in Augusta this week simply to serve up the Champions' Dinner.

He shares the first-round lead with American Sam Burns after carding a five-under par 67, ensuring anybody who was sleeping on his chances has been stirred.

You can read more of our golf reporter Jonathan Jurejko's analysis of the opening round here.

Image source, Getty Images

The likes of Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton are out early, with big groups involving Jon Rah, Ludvig Aberg, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler to follow.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are coming up in the later wave of tee times this evening.

• 13:26 Danny Willett (Eng), Davis Riley (US), Ethan Fang (US*)
• 13:50 Fred Couples (US), Min Woo Lee (Aus), Fifa Laopakdee (Tha*)
• 14:02 Sergio Garcia (Spa), Aaron Rai (Eng), Jacob Bridgeman (US)
• 14:31 JJ Spaun (US), Maverick McNealy (US), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng)
• 14:43 Jon Rahm (Spa), Chris Gotterup (US), Ludvig Aberg (Swe)
• 14:55 Jordan Spieth (US), Justin Rose (Eng), Brooks Koepka (US)
• 15:19 Scottie Scheffler (US), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Gary Woodland (US)
• 17:32 Cameron Smith (Aus), Sam Burns (US), Jake Knapp (US)
• 17:56 Dustin Johnson (US), Shane Lowry (Ire), Jason Day (Aus)
• 18:08 Patrick Reed (US), Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Akshay Bhatia (US)
• 18:20 Bryson DeChambeau (US), Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng), Xander Schauffele (US)
• 18:44 Rory McIlroy (NI), Cameron Young (US), Mason Howell (US*)

Let's start off with a look at the best shots from an action-packed Thursday at Augusta National.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome back golf fans to day two of the 90th Masters at the iconic Augusta National - and what a tournament it's shaping up to be.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy shares the lead with American Sam Burns after what was a tough first round for many, but not for our leading pair who played a fast and firm Augusta beautifully.

But the top of the leaderboard is packed with star power, world number one Scottie Scheffler is right there along with Augusta specialists Justin Rose and Patrick Reed.

Shane Lowry is just three off the lead as well, while on the flip side it wasn't the best day for Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg or Tyrrell Hatton.

And for Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm they've both got work to do just to make the cut after nightmare opening rounds.

So there's plenty for us to get through today - we'd love it if you kept us company throughout what should be a brilliant Friday at The Masters.