AUGUSTA, Ga. When Rory McIlroy pushed his tee into the ground at Augusta National’s first tee box Thursday morning, he felt his right hand shake.
It was a familiar feeling, but on this particular day — his first competitive round at the Masters since he secured his long-awaited victory and the career grand slam last year — it was also a feeling he welcomed with open arms.
“I was anxious just like I always am. I’m thankful that I felt the same. … I think it would be worrisome if I didn’t feel that way because it definitely still means something to me,” McIlroy said. “That’s a good thing. That’s why we want to be here. We want to be able to try to play our best golf when we’re feeling like that.”
