Rory McIlroy never fails to keep us on the edge of our seats. Just when it seemed that the 35-year-old might finally achieve his Masters dream, Augusta National dealt a harsh blow. It’s a familiar story, but this time the disappointment stings even more.

In an unexpected twist, McIlroy started strong, reaching four under par and trailing Justin Rose by just three strokes. However, disaster struck at the 15th hole when a miscalculated chip took a plunge into the water, resulting in a painful double-bogey seven—an ominous score that could sink his Masters ambitions.

McIlroy's struggle continued at the second-to-last hole, where another double-bogey pushed him further down the leaderboard. A final score of 72 felt like a lackluster reward after a promising start. Historically, McIlroy has only broken 70 in his opening Masters rounds twice, the last time being in 2018. As he heads into the second round, all eyes are on how he will respond to this gut-wrenching setback.

Meanwhile, McIlroy’s playing partner, Ludvig Åberg, quietly stole the spotlight with an impressive 68, reminding everyone not to overlook this rising star.

For over 14 holes, McIlroy played with precision and confidence. Despite a few missed opportunities early on, he collected birdies on the 8th and 9th holes, showing flashes of brilliance. However, his game unraveled at the 15th, where a long approach shot led to regret. McIlroy is all too aware of how quickly fortunes can change at Augusta.

As one of the contenders in this year’s 89th Masters, McIlroy isn’t out of the race, but the pressure is mounting. Meanwhile, Justin Rose returned to the forefront of the tournament with a stellar 65. Despite leading the Masters multiple times, Rose has never donned the coveted Green Jacket, a quirky statistic that only adds to his narrative.

At 44, Rose is reminded of the ticking clock of opportunity, acknowledging, "Golf is not going to get easier for me in the next five, ten years... so you have to make the most of it." His positive mindset and ability to perform under pressure signal that he could very well challenge for a major title again.

Scottie Scheffler showcased his masterful skills with a flawless 68, maintaining his title as the defending champion. Birdies came easy for him, including a remarkable 60-foot putt on the 4th. He continues to appear calm and collected, ready to capitalize on any opportunity.

Corey Conners matched Scheffler at four under, while Bryson DeChambeau deemed his 69 a breakthrough in understanding Augusta’s complexities. Tyrrell Hatton, who previously criticized the course as "unfair," seemed to shift gears with a solid 69, attributing his success to a bit more patience on the greens.

On the contrary, Nick Dunlap faced a disastrous day, carding a 90, while Fred Couples nostalgically rolled back the years with a respectable 71.

Despite mixed results for some, the leaderboard is bursting with talent. As the first day of the Masters concluded, the absence of McIlroy near the top left a bittersweet taste. The hope for greatness remains, but so does the harsh reality of the game's unpredictability. Will McIlroy rise from the ashes, or will Augusta continue to evade him? Only time will tell.