The Masters - day one digest

Defending champion Rory McIlroy holds a share of the lead, Shane Lowry was rolling with the Augusta punches, conditions toughened as the day progressed and there was a welcome Masters return for Haotong Li.

Here is everything you need to know from round one of the year's opening Major Championship at Augusta National.

Defending champion McIlroy in a share of the lead

Rory McIlroy holds a share of the lead alongside Sam Burns after the pair carded rounds of 67. The defending champion from Northern Ireland posted his lowest opening round at Augusta National since a 65 in 2011, mixing six birdies with a solitary bogey. McIlroy is bidding to become only the fourth player to retain the Green Jacket, and the signs that he can achieve that feat appear positive. "It’s a great start but a long way to go. I’m feeling good with where I’m at, though," he said. For Burns, making his fifth Masters start, the American carded his career-best total at the Georgia venue with the highlight being his eagle at the par five second, set up by a brilliant six iron from the fairway.

Their nearest pursuers are Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed, Kurt Kitayama and former World Number One Jason Day, with that trio two shots adrift at three under.

Lowry rolls with the Augusta punches

From a four-putt double bogey to a hole-out eagle, Shane Lowry felt the contrasting emotions that are inevitable when taking on Augusta. The Irishman got off to a dream birdie-birdie start, before a mishap from just off the back edge of the green at the fourth. While he dropped another shot at the sixth, he was soon back on the front foot as he backed up a hard-earned par at the seventh with back-to-back birdies to turn in one under. The highlight of his day came at the 13th, he holed a 68-yard lob wedge at the 13th for eagle. Despite making a bogey at the demanding 17th, the 2019 Open Champion was more than pleased with his showing. "I felt like I didn't miss a shot in the first four holes, and obviously had that mishap on the fourth green," Lowry said. "You can get a bit disheartened or dejected by that, but I felt like, you know, I'm in a good frame of mind to move on from everything. And I really felt like I plotted my way around the course nicely today."

Toughest Masters in a while?

Well, that was the belief offered by Lowry as he looked ahead to the remaining three rounds. With the weather set fare for the rest of the weeks, the greens are expected to only become firmer and faster and that was already becoming evident as those playing in the final groups of the day - including Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler who both posted 70s - found play to be at its toughest. "I think this could be the toughest Masters we’ve played in a while," said Lowry. "You look at the forecast, they can do whatever they want with the course this weekend. Over the last few years, we’ve had a day every year where it has been rained out with heavy rains and it has helped us a little bit but I think before the week is out, it is going to get very, very crusty around here."

Li enjoying Major vibe on Masters return

It was in the most recent Major Championship last summer at The Open that Haotong Li played in the final group on the final day, finishing in a tie for fourth at Royal Portrush. This time around, the Chinese was in the first group on the opening day on his return to Augusta National after a six-year absence. All in all it was an accomplished one-under-par 71 for the 30-year-old, highlighted by an eagle at the par five 15th. "I have just felt super calm every time I play in Majors, and I am truly grateful and enjoy the environment here. And, yeah, just hopefully I can bring something good during the weekend."

Olazábal rolls back the years

José María Olazábal is making his 37th Masters start this year, having made his debut in 1985. Twice a winner of the Green Jacket in 1994 and 1999, few know their way around Augusta better than the Spaniard.  That experience was on show as he made his way into an early lead on day one, with birdies at the second and third, and while he dropped four shots in a three-hole stretch from the 14th, an opening 74 is more than creditable by the 60-year-old. "Well, I've been playing this golf course 37 years," he said. You know, that helps, to be honest. You know, my short game was really nice today. It has to be in order to put a decent score, because I'm going to miss a lot of greens hitting woods onto the greens. As hard as the greens are, I know I'm going to miss a lot of greens. So, first of all, you have to think about what will be the best side to miss, which side will give you the best chances to up-and-down, and you play from there."

A crowd pleaser

While it wasn't the round Nicolai Højgaard would have hoped for, carding a 76, the Dane produced a short worthy of the highlight reel with this chip-in eagle at the par five 13th.