SIDEBAR: Pace-setter McIlroy said he has learnt from his mistakes

By Peter Auf der Heyde Apr 7, 2011, 23:06 GMT

Augusta, Georgia - Last year Rory McIlroy hit a blistering nine-under par 63 in the first round of the British Open at St Andrews.

On Thursday, the 21-year-old Northern Irish player carded a seven- under 65 at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, to lead by two from South Korean YE Yang.

But unlike in St Andrews, where McIlroy followed up his round of 63 with a disappointing 80, he is determined not to allow something like that to happen again in Friday's second round.

'The round last year will be a massive help to me. Obviously at the time I was very disappointed to come off the course and shoot 80 after shooting 63.

'But looking back on it, it was a very valuable lesson in my development as a golfer. I will be thinking about it and I will be thinking about how I can do things better tomorrow than I did in St Andrews.

'It is possible that I can go out and shoot another 65, but I know that it is also very likely that I am not going to do that. So if I do find myself in a bit of trouble, I am going to have to stick in there.'

Although he missed three sinkable puts, he did not feel that he missed out on a better score. 'Obviously you can always do better, but I will always take a 65.

'It could have been lower, but I could also have had a bad break here or there. It swings in roundabouts and I will take 65 any day.'

The Manchester United fan, who said he was very pleased with the clubs' 1-0 Champions League win at Chelsea on Wednesday, admitted that he enjoyed leading from the front.

'I don't think there is any position better than first. I'd rather shoot 7-under today than 3-under and be in the pack. I want to see if I can string four good rounds together and see where that puts me at the end of the week.

'That is what I am trying to do.'

McIlroy prepared for the tournament by holidaying with friends in Florida and Wednesday night he spent some time learning to play American football.

'But then I was actually told by the lady living across the street we were making a bit too much noise and we had to cut it short. She asked if we were staying in one of the houses and I just said sorry and went inside.'

Although McIlroy is only 21, he has already played in nine majors and believes that he has what it takes to win the tournament. 'I have had three third-place finishes in the last five goes at majors. I always feel that I have the game to win, it is just the extra 2 per cent here and extra 2 per cent there that makes the difference.

'I have played well enough to believe in myself and believe that I can win a major.'

If he does, it seems unlikely that he will be told to go inside again by any Augusta locals.

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