What a first day at the US Masters.  It had everything – great weather, fantastic golf and an ISM player on top of the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy flew into Augusta National this year under the radar, having kept a low profile as he practised in Palm Beach, Florida, in the build up and kept well away from microphones and notebooks.

But Rory was extremely high profile after a fantastic opening 65 put him alone in first place until Spain’s Alvaro Quiros came through in the last match of the opening session to tie for best round of the day. 

Rory came into the first day having had a telling off from an old lady for playing American football outside her home the previous evening.  He and three friends abandoned their game, but yesterday Rory attracted far greater interest – the entire golfing world witnessing one of his best rounds.

Sometimes, and despite his youthful looks, it is hard to believe that Rory is still only 21.  He has a golfing maturity far beyond his years and I have no doubt that he will achieve everything he intends to in the coming two decades.

Rory was not our only golfer to head out of Magnolia Lane with a huge smile on his face. 

Charl Schwartzel was also beaming after a three under par 69 put him right in the mix for what promises to be one of the most exciting Masters in recent history.

Lee Westwood was on level par while both Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen will be looking to improve on their opening 75’s.

There’s still a long way to go, but the omens are good.  Watch this space.