McIlroy Defends Masters Title Amid Early Struggles

Rory McIlroy has commenced his title defense at Augusta National for the 2026 Masters, with Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Reed making strong starts to their tournaments. The defending champion looks to build on his previous success as he navigates the challenging course conditions.

Meanwhile, Carlos Ortiz is facing an uphill battle after a disastrous start. The Mexican golfer, making just his second Masters appearance, has carded a 5-7-5-4-6 sequence through five holes, including three bogeys and two double bogeys. At +7 already, Ortiz will be hoping to stabilize his round as he continues his play.