Rory McIlroy content after battling to 71

Rory McIlroy’s career grand slam bid got off to a solid but unspectacular start on Thursday as the world number one battled to one-under 71 on a steamy afternoon at Augusta National.

McIlroy, who has one top-10 finish in six previous Masters appearances, has never found his comfort level on the iconic layout and once again needed to rely on a workmanlike effort to move into contention.

"It could have been a round that got away from me," said a relieved McIlroy. "I just stayed patient, realising that it’s a 72-hole golf tournament and not having to press too much.

"It was good to get into red numbers after day one and I feel with the way I’m driving the ball, if I can keep doing that and just be a little more patient with my iron play and give myself more opportunities, I’ll hope to be right there at the end of the week."

The Northern Irishman opened his round with five straight pars before taking a bogey and hitting right back with a birdie at the seventh.

His up-and-down play followed the 25-year-old into the turn where he picked up his second bogey of the day at the 11th and again answered quickly with a birdie at the par-five 13th.