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Rory McIlroy Makes Golf History With Blazing Start at The Masters

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Neel | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 3:41 PM ET

Rory McIlroy had a lot of pressure on him when he woke up on Saturday and got ready to start the third round of the Masters Tournament, two shots off the lead. Was he big enough for the moment? Could he shake off a rough first round, capitalize on a brilliant second round, and make a charge for his first green jacket? Would this be the year that he finally completes the career grand slam?

In a matter of five holes, McIlroy answered most of those questions.

If a record score of five-under par through his first five holes on Saturday, McIlroy made PGA history, becoming the first player to ever shoot -5 in the first five holes at Augusta National Golf Course.

McIlroy is also the first player in Masters history to record six consecutive three's to open a round at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy is the first player in Masters history to start his round with six consecutive threes. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2025

It started with a birdie putt on one that dropped, getting McIlroy to a stroke off of Justin Rose's lead. Then a chip-in for eagle at the par-five second hole ignited the crowd, making McIlroy three-under through two holes, giving him the solo lead at nine-under. On the short par-four third hole, another birdie putt dropped for McIlroy.

A par on the fourth hole settled things down, but then a birdie on the fifth hole, widely regarded as one of the toughest holes on the course, sent fans into a frenzy. McIlroy went from seven shots back on Friday afternoon to leading by three shots, at 11-under, in a matter of 14 holes.

Rory McIlroy becomes the first player in Masters history to start with five consecutive 3s on the scorecard
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 12, 2025

We will see if McIlroy can continue his hot streak and build on his lead over the remainder of the day, but if he does, it could set him up to make history once again and get the career grandslam on Sunday, something that he has been chasing for over a decade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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