³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

In his favour, 's late gate-crashing at the top of the leaderboard means McIroy is slightly less exposed than he would be were he out on his own. But McIlroy will know that his first Masters round in the 60s will count for nothing if he loses focus.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ golf commentator Ken Brown told me: "He is at a stage where every round is a learning curve. At St Andrews he was euphoric after that 63 but there were moments in the second round where he wasn't concentrating and I think he realised at the end of the week that those few holes cost him the chance of challenging at the end. I don't think he will fall for that again."

McIlroy insists he will not.

"It is just being patient and realising you don't need spectacular golf for 72 holes to win, you just have to hang in there and grind it out," he said.

McIroy was in sensational form in the first round at Augusta. Photo: Getty

"It's possible that I can go out and shoot another 65, but I know it's also very likely that I'm not going to do that. So if I do find myself in trouble I'm going to have to stick in there and that's something I learned to do at St Andrews. Even though I didn't do it on that Friday, you should never really make that mistake again."

McIlroy has finished in the top three in three of the last five majors, having only played eight before this week.

He missed the cut at Augusta last year, which he describes as the low point of his season, but after regrouping he clinched his first title a few weeks later before going close at the Open and finishing third in the USPGA, where he was leading with four to play before slipping back.

"I'm still relatively inexperienced but I feel I'm a pretty quick learner," said McIlroy, who was only the second 20-year-old after to break into world's top 10. "There's no substitute for experience, especially in major championships."

The world number nine says he has been gearing up for the Masters since the beginning of the year, focusing solely on his game and his fitness in order to achieve his stated aim of winning a major in 2011.

He has enjoyed a low-key preparation, taking the last three weeks off to practice in West Palm Beach, Florida, watch re-runs of 's and 's breakthrough , and go to the gym.

He was last of the 99-strong field to check in for the tournament and has kept a low profile among the media this week.

And despite a few high-profile backers - close friend and six-time Masters champion Nicklaus both tipped him to do well - he was not heavily supported in the build-up. The polled 62 members of the international media and only one, an Irishman, had him as their winner.

McIlroy himself insists he is not satisfied with two wins from 100 professional tournaments before this week and has stated his goal is to win 10 times in the next 100 events. After a summit with his caddie and agent at the end of last season, it was decided his on-course strategy could be improved.

Brown said of McIlroy in a preview piece: "He's got it, no question. He's got what it takes to win anything, any time, anywhere.

"But sometimes he is over-attacking and often on the par fives. At Augusta he will sink or swim on his strategy - knowing when to have a go at greens, when to go at flags, when not to. If he gets it right and holes a few putts, particularly from inside six feet, he can be a world beater."

McIlroy said after playing the four par fives in two under on Thursday: "I always feel I have the game to win, it's just the extra 2% here and there that makes the difference. Those are the sort of things I've been working on this year, course strategy, game management. I feel I stuck to my gameplan well."

Brown concurred afterwards: "He played almost the perfect round of golf. He is very suited to Augusta. He is long, hits a nice draw and was striking the ball gloriously. He played the percentages, hit 14 greens in regulation out of 18 and took 26 putts. If he continues to putt like that he will certainly be in contention on Sunday."

The gym work seems to be paying off, too. While Quiros topped the driving distance stats with an average drive of 309.5 yards, McIlroy was third with 297 yards.

An American fan waiting behind the 18th tee for McIlroy's group said to anyone who would listen: "I just love watching this kid hit the ball."

Brown added of McIlroy's general demeanour: "He seems to handle it like he always does. It seems to come so naturally to him and he gave a delightful news conference."

McIlroy, who has brought three friends with him this week instead of his parents, revealed they had been told off for playing in the street outside their rented house on Wednesday night.

A reporter asked if they were running patterns (American Football moves). He got big laughs with his answer: "I don't even know what that means."

McIlroy also admitted he spent most of his round chatting to fellow 21-year-old playing partner Rickie Fowler and 23-year-old Jason Day about cars, boats and "anything but golf, really".

The young man has the world at his feet. But he needs to keep them firmly on the ground for three more rounds.