McIlroy early leader in clubhouse

By Peter Auf der Heyde Apr 7, 2011, 18:58 GMT

Augusta, Georgia - Young Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy on Thursday was the early leader midway through the first round at the Masters being played in Augusta.

The 21-year-old carded a bogey-free round of 65, to finish seven- under par, four shots clear of England's Ross Fisher and American Brandt Snedeker.

American Matt Kuchar was still on the course lying five under.

McIlroy, who is being touted as a future major-winner, played four birdies going out and followed that up with three on the back nine.

His previous best round at Augusta was a 70 in the final round in 2009, while he missed the cut last year.

Fisher, whose wife is expecting their second child in England, started his day with a bogey on the first, but then clawed his way back to three under at the end of the opening nine holes.

'On the one hand I am delighted as it is not easy to walk off this course with a score under 70, but I am also a bit disappointed as I felt I played very nicely and made five birdies in the opening nine holes,' he said.

Fisher, who said he would immediately stop playing and rush back to England to be with his wife if necessary, said he hoped though that he would be able to stay through until Sunday.

In 2009, his wife was expecting their first child during the British Open. 'Then she managed to hold on and I did not, hopefully I will manage to hold on until the end this time around,' he said.

At the end of the field German world number 1 Martin Kaymer was in trouble as he played three bogeys in the first nine holes and then added a double bogey on the 10th hole to fall far off the pace.

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