Rory McIlroy declared himself satisfied with his day's work after firing a two under par 70 in the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman is chasing the career Grand Slam of Major Championships in Georgia this week after achieving his best Masters result so far last season when he finished fourth.
On a windy day, he was one under as he stood on the 13th tee, but he then made an eagle and followed it with a birdie on the 15th to get within two shots of leader Jordan Spieth, who was in the clubhouse.
Bogeys on the 16th and 18th saw him slip off the pace but he refused to be downhearted on a day when just 20 players went under par.
"I'm happy with how I played, happy with the score in the end," he said.
It could have been a couple better but, at the end of the day, being here on a tough day in the top ten and still within touching distance of Jordan, I'm pretty pleased with that - Rory McIlroy
"If someone had have given me a 70 on the first tee, I probably would have taken it. It was a tricky day.
"Being in the position on the 16th tee where I was four under par. I was probably thinking on the 16th tee I could sneak another one or two out of this round and to start going the other way is disappointing.
"But I feel like I can get off to a good start tomorrow and pick those shots up again in the first few holes and just get off and running again."
Shane Lowry was the top performing European Tour Member on Thursday as he posted a 68 to sit just two shots off the lead.
He started with a par but then went on a brilliant run as he picked up shots on the second, third, fourth and fifth before another birdie followed on the eighth. The Irishman then dropped a shot on the 12th to sign for a 68.
"I hit a nice iron to the first, but it just ran off and I left myself a 15-footer for par," he said. "That was kind of a nice way to start the day. It's almost nicer than chipping it stiff.
"From there, I played great today. Didn't miss many shots. Didn't miss my targets by much. I managed to hole a few putts early doors. I really feel like it could have been one or two better at the end, but, I'll take it.
"Winning a Major obviously, it's a big deal and it's something that you want to do as a golfer. I couldn't tell you what age I was when I started going, 'I really want to win a major'. Obviously I do.
"t's nice seeing my name up there but it's three rounds to go. It's a long way to go yet, especially around this place.
"You're only ever a bad bounce away from a bit of a disaster, so you've just got to keep your head on. You've just got to keep trying to hit good shots and hit towards your targets and hopefully make a few putts, and that's all I'm going to try and do."
