Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy on ‘decent’ first-round 71 at Augusta

World number one and 2022 Masters champion Scheffler shot a bogey-free round of 66.

“Scottie does such a good job,” McIlroy said. “It doesn’t look like it’s six under par, and then at the end of the day it’s six under par. He’s just so efficient with everything.

“If you look at Scottie compared to the rest of the field, the amount of bogey-free rounds he shoots is phenomenal.

“That’s the secret to winning major championships and winning big-time golf tournaments – it’s more limiting the mistakes rather than making a ton of birdies.

“I made three bogeys today, which is fine out there in these conditions, but I just need to tidy it up a little bit to try to keep up with him.”

Play will resume at 12:50 BST on Friday as some players complete their first rounds.

McIlroy is scheduled to begin his second round at 18:48.