Rory McIlroy expressed his satisfaction after keeping his dreams of the career grand slam on track with a battling display on the opening day of the 79th Masters. Seeking to become just the sixth player in history to win all four major titles, McIlroy was one over par after 11 holes before recording birdies on the 13th and 15th to card a one-under-par 71. That left the world No 1 four shots off the clubhouse lead of Justin Rose and Charley Hoffman, but it could have been a lot worse as the 25-year-old was forced to scramble for par a number of times on the front nine.Rory McIlroy . Rory McIlroy did well just to bogey the sixth after making a shaky start at the Masters . The world No 1 recovered by recording birdies on the 13th and 15th on Thursday . McIlroy walk downs the ninth fairway with Phil Mickelson during the first round . 'I just kept telling myself to be patient out there today,' McIlroy said. 'It was a tricky day, the wind was swirling a little bit, the pin positions were tough. Anything under par was a pretty good score. 'It was nice to pick off a couple of birdies on the back nine on the par fives and I'm pretty satisfied with the day's work.' McIlroy has recorded a score of 77 or worse on each of his past five appearances at Augusta National and admitted it could have happened again. The four-time major winner hooked his drive on the second into the trees and ended up in a narrow creek, but after taking a penalty drop was able to pitch out to the fairway and hit a superb approach to save par. He did well just to bogey the sixth after his chip from short of the green rolled back down a slope to his feet and scrambled a par on the ninth after his approach span back off the green. 'It could have been a round that got away from me,' he admitted. 'I bogeyed 11 but I just kept telling myself to stay patient, realising it's a 72-hole golf tournament and I don't need to press too much. That's what I did and it was good to get into red numbers after day one. McIlroy held his nerve to card a one-under-par 71 at Augusta . McIlroy has recorded a score of 77 or worse on five occasions at Augusta . He is seeking to become just the sixth player in history to win all four major titles . 'I feel the way I'm driving the ball well and if I can keep doing that and just be a little more efficient with my iron play and give myself more opportunities I'll hopefully be right there at the end of the week. 'I haven't put too much pressure on myself. I obviously know what I can achieve this week but I'm not letting myself think about it too much. I'm just trying to play it one round at a time and today was a pretty good day. 'I feel like I can do better but I'm happy after day one and I'll go out and try and do a little bit better tomorrow.' McIlroy will seek to narrow the gap on the early leaders during second round of Friday .
Rory McIlroy carded a one-under-par 71 in the first round at Augusta.
The world No 1 recovered from early setback with birdies at 13th and 15th.
He has recorded a score of 77 or worse on five occasions at Augusta.
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