By Derek Lawrenson
Chief Golf Correspondent from Augusta
Last updated at 1:02 AM on 8th April 2011

Last year it was St Andrews, this time Augusta National. Only the best is good enough for Rory McIlroy, who followed up his opening round 63 at The Open last year with a 65 on Thursday to become the youngest first round leader in the storied history of the Masters. 

Think of truly great players like Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and their names are synonymous with these twin citadels on either side of the Atlantic.

• LIVE: The Masters 2011 - The action as it happened on day one at Augusta National

Top gun: McIlroy studies his tee shot on the 15th, under the admiring gaze of Ricky Fowler (left)

Who knows whether McIlroy will be ranked with them one day but he is certainly keeping good company in selecting these sacred venues to give exquisite demonstrations of ball-striking we simply haven't witnessed since Woods at his finest. 

McIlroy was denied the privilege of leading on his own by Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, out in the last group of the day, who finished with two successive birdies for a 65 of his own to give Europe an early 1-2 advantage.

In achieving his historic landmark, beating the previous record-holder, 23 year old Seve Ballesteros in 1980, McIlroy didn't so much set the Masters alight as send it aflame.

As astonishing as it sounds, a 65 was about the worst the 21 year old could have shot since he missed four clear opportunities for birdies.

Eyes on the prize: McIlroy is in contention for the green jacket after a superb first round at Augusta

'I'm not greedy, I'll take 65 all day at Augusta,' he said. 'Yes, I missed some putts but I holed a few as well.' 

Tiger won this event at the age of 21 and McIlroy, third in his last two major championship appearances, has certainly delivered an opening round filled with intent.

Last year the Old Course got its own back on day two with a poor 80, and so today we will see how far the maturation process has progressed. McIlroy certainly sounded confident.

'I think that Friday last year at St Andrews will be a massive help,' he said. 'Of course it was very disappointing at the time but it was a valuable lesson in my development as a golfer. I shouldn't make that mistake again.' 

All credit should be given to Augusta's green jackets for noting the forecast calling for perfect scoring conditions and not reacting by sticking the pins in sadistic places.

All smiles: Quiros joined McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard with a delightful birdie on the 18th

This course is rarely so inviting as it was yesterday, with warm sunshine, barely a breath of wind and greens that retained plenty of moisture. Everything was set, therefore, for someone to deliver the kind of round that echoes around the sporting world, and who better to do it than McIlroy? 

'We all know he's got a wonderful golf swing, and that it is just a matter of time before he wins a bunch of tournaments,' said Tiger Woods, the world No 7 - that moniker takes some getting used to, doesn't it? - who opened with a 71.

McIlroy and Quiros, who won earlier this year in Dubai, lead by two from former U.S PGA Champion YE Yang and Korean KJ Choi. 

Among those who filed a 69 was Englishman Ross Fisher, while defending champion and Augusta specialist Phil Mickelson dropped a shot at the last for a 70. Despite that late bogey, he still turned in a score that leaves him well placed.

In the Woods: Tiger, winner at Augusta on four previous occasions, finished the day on one-under

Paul Casey finished with three birdies in his last four holes for a 70 of his own while Luke Donald shot 72.

Anyone who watched the world No 1 and 2 in the hope of seeing them live up to their status would have been disappointed. Martin Kaymer, for some reason known only to him, has talked himself into believing he can't play Augusta, and so lived down to that feeling with a desperate score of 78. He's never made a halfway cut here, and it doesn't look like he will this year, either. 

As for No 2 Lee Westwood, he's having a terrible time on the greens, and this is no place to get it back, as he shot 72.

U.S Open Champion Graeme McDowell, Scot Martin Laird and Ian Poulter slipped to 74s, while Padraig Harrington's major championship woes continued as, handicapped by a neck injury, he shot 77. 

McIlroy's brilliance made Fisher's three under score seems pedestrian by comparison but the Englishman, part of the first group out, was rightly thrilled with his score. The last time he was in contention for a major his wife Joanne was heavily pregnant. That was the 2009 Open at Turnberry where Fisher, who led early in the final round before faltering, was threatening to walk off the course if Joanne went into labour. 

Well, here he is again and, would you believe, there's his wife back home again, about to give birth to their second child any day.

'She hung on a lot better than I did last time, and hopefully I can do as well on this occasion,' said Fisher.

Two years ago, he led at some point in all four majors and it is time the big hitter started delivering on that promise. 

Return to form: Englishman Ross Fisher has his eye on the leaders after shooting three-under

McIlroy must have wondered if playing partner Rickie Fowler, dressed all in Masters green, was his lucky leprechaun as he made three successive birdies from the second. On the first three holes he made wonderful up-and-downs from difficult places, which seemed a fairly decent riposte to Mickelson's coach Butch Harmon, who opined his short game wasn't good enough to win a green jacket.

The Northern Irishman prepared for this week by having what his manager Chubby Chandler referred to as 'his sixth form holiday,' a trip round south Florida playing golf with an old school pal, Harry Diamond, and working with his long-time coach, Michael Bannon.

 'When we met up here I could see the light in his eyes,' said Chandler. 'He couldn't wait to begin.'  Getting 22 year old Fowler proved a wonderful draw. From first tee to last green the pair chatted away like a couple of carefree students. What did they talk about? 'Oh, cars, boats, you name it,' he said. 'Anything but golf.' 

On the eve of the event, McIlroy was scolded by a neighbour for throwing an American football in the streets outside his rented home.

'What do you think you're doing, stop making so much noise, there's a big field over there,' said the woman, who clearly didn't know him from Adam. Trust McIlroy not to play the big Charlie. 'I'm really sorry, we won't do it anymore,' he said.  From noisy neighbour to the man making plenty of commotion inside Augusta National. Come on Rors.