Once again, the European domination continues in world golf with Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros storming to the lead on day one of the 2011 Masters.
Europe on top after opening round of 2011 Masters
The European pair are two clear of the Korean pair of K J Choi and Y E Yang with Americans Matt Kuchar and Ricky Barnes at four under par.
McIlroy didn’t drop a shot in posting a seven-under par 65 while Quiros, who was out in the afternoon ended his round a 7.15pm local time with a similar bogey-free display.
Alvaro Quiros last out and sharing first place
In fact, Quiros birdied three of his last four holes including holing a monster putt on 17 and then sinking a three-footer at the last.
The 28-year old Spaniard had been the last to tee off at 1.59pm and joins McIlroy with his best Augusta score by 10 shots.
On debut in 2009, Quiros, who captured February’s Dubai Desert Classic, posted rounds of 78 and 75 to miss the cut and also sat out the weekend rounds last year with rounds of a pair of 75s.
“I’m very happy to shoot 65 is my best score by far in the Masters,” said Quiros.
“This is my third appearance. So I have to recognize that I was lucky on 17 to hole the putt, because the putt was quick. But at the same time it’s like it is. You need to have luck to shoot 65 on this golf course.
“I couldn’t be that happy because I don’t know if it’s just an instant of a day, you know what I mean? I don’t know if it’s a good level of golf just for one day.
“As I said, for me the most important thing is tomorrow, hit the driver on the first hole tomorrow and try to fight for the cut. And after that I will let you know if something changes of the swing or not. We’re going to see it in the score for sure.”
After birdieng the last, Quiros broke out in a big smile as playing companions Gary Woodland and Venezuelean Jhonattan Vegas putted out.
In an example of their awesome distance off the tee, Quiros, Woodland and Vegas played the last six holes in 12-under par.
The sight of McIlroy and Quiros atop of the board continues a dominating European trend of late.
Rory McIlroy shoots 65 to lead the European cause (Pic - Thanks to European Tour)
Europe is currently one and two on the World Rankings (Martin Kaymer -77 and Lee Westwood – 72).
Last year, Europe finished one and two in the U.S. Open while European Tour players were One, two and three at the British Open and one and three in the U.S. PGA Championship.
Record Major winning Jack Nicklaus has a knack to spotting green jacket glory when he sees it.
Twelve years ago, Nicklaus predicted Tiger Woods to overrun Augusta National and now after joining Arnold Palmer as ‘Ceremonial Starter’, the Golden Bear labelled Rory McIlroy a possible 2011 Masters champion.
McIlroy immediately delivered on Nicklaus’ prediction beating his previous Augusta best by five shots.
The Holywood hotshot golfer stunned his more fancied rivals with seven birdies including three in succession from the second that sent McIlroy to the top of the board on seven under par before being joined by Quiros.
And after earlier first day scores of 72 in 2009 and a round one 74 last year, McIlroy is already in prime position to become the first European in a dozen years to win the Masters and the first-ever Irishman to be fitted for a green jacket.
“Augusta National takes years and years of figuring out and they make tiny little adjustments here and there, but I feel a lot more comfortable on the golf course this year than I did the previous couple of years, which is great,” he said.
“And it showed in the way I played today. I played some really good golf out there.
“The last time I was here I missed the cut so it feels great.
“My second round here last year was probably the low point of the season for me. I went back home for a couple of weeks to sort of try and find my game again and won Quail Hollow.
“So it’s nice come out here and shoot a really good round and get into the 60s and get that little monkey off my back and get go into the next three rounds in a positive frame of mind.”
