India, April 10 -- A racing heart. Trembling hands. Knots in his stomach.

It could have been a medical emergency for others, but in Rory McIlroy's case, he felt assured that all was well.

A lot has changed for the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland since he exorcised his demons by winning the Masters last year and became only the sixth player to complete a career grand slam. And yet, some things have remained the same.

That included all the above symptoms of first-tee jitters at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. The world No. 2 was scrappy for the first seven holes, before finding his range and form and getting through the last 11 holes in five-under par. It also marked only the sixth time in the tournament's 90-year history that ...