Masters 2012: Rory McIlroy's Surge Will Continue with Rough Start Behind Him

The demons that seem to haunt Rory McIlroy at Augusta National reared their ugly heads at the beginning of this year's tournament—but unlike last year, the 22-year-old found a way to silence them this time around.

And with that rough start out of the way, that is what he will continue to do for the rest of the weekend.

McIlroy was likely hoping that he'd get off to a smooth start given the somewhat immense expectations staring him down—his odds to win were 5-1, second only to those of Tiger Woods, who was the favorite at 4-1. But then McIlroy hit his first tee shot into the trees.

He had to be thinking, Not again. But he quickly composed himself, scoring a birdie on the second hole.

There must have been fear that McIlroy would fall victim to another meltdown after the rough start. Since last year's epic collapse at Augusta, he has constantly been asked about it—how he'd adjusted, how he'd avoid a similar catastrophe this year.

After going into the final round last year with a four-stroke lead, McIlroy scored a seven on the 10th hole, sparking a collapse that would saddle him with an 80 on the day and a share of 15th place in the tournament. He has talked all week about leaving the past behind him and moving on, but after starting off this year's tournament with a tee shot in the trees, he had to have been nervous.

But if he was, he didn't show it. He prevented himself from spiraling. After that six on the first hole, he parred the next five and ended the front nine with two more birdies to finish with a one-under 35.

Last year, McIlroy was the wonder child of the Masters. A win would've meant his first major and, obviously, his first green jacket. Later, he said he wasn't ready at the time to win. He was trying to be too perfect. Just a couple of months later, he applied everything he learned at Augusta to winning the U.S. Open by eight strokes, and it’s been all uphill from there.

Now, he does know what it takes to win, and it’s not necessarily being at the top of the leaderboard after the first round.

This year, McIlroy started off the tournament with a solid middle-of-the-pack performance. There will be plenty of time for him to surge into the lead over the next three days. For now, it's all about keeping himself mentally in the game.

He's learned from last year's mistakes. He knows a hot start isn't the key to winning this tournament. This year, when the final round approaches and the pressure is on he'll know what to do to win.

He'll be ready for another major this time around.