McIlroy, Burns Share Lead as Masters Field Tightens
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Augusta, Georgia. On Thursday April 9, defending champion Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns each shot 5-under 67 to share the early lead at the 90th Masters at Augusta National, while Patrick Reed surged to four-under with two front-nine eagles and Scottie Scheffler teed off later in the round.
Players and officials noted firm, dry conditions that could harden the course; Tommy Fleetwood and Masters rookie Kristoffer Reitan were close behind, Aaron Rai finished T-10, and Akshay Bhatia opened with 1-over; tournament setup decisions and remaining three rounds will determine final leaderboard movement this weekend.
More context
Timeline
- 1. January 2026 — Patrick Reed leaves LIV Golf and plans a PGA Tour return.
- 2. 9 April 2026 — Opening round at the 90th Masters: Reed records two early eagles; McIlroy and Burns post 5-under 67.
- 3. 9 April 2026 — Players comment that dry, sunny forecasts could harden Augusta National and affect scoring.
- 4. 9 April 2026 — Tommy Fleetwood and Kristoffer Reitan post notable early scores and remain close to leaders.
- 5. 10 April 2026 — Aaron Rai finishes T-10 and Akshay Bhatia posts 1-over, indicating a compact leaderboard.
Why it matters
The Masters is more than just a golf tournament. It's a tradition, a marker of spring, and a chance to see the world's best golfers compete. If you're a fan, you'll want to keep an eye on the leaderboard this weekend. And if you're not, it's a great time to learn about the game.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
