The Clara man will be hoping to make some moves up the leaderbored later today.
Shane Lowry has had an up and down start to his Masters campaign.
The Offaly man carded a one under par, round of 71.
Lowry mixed four birdies with three bogeys to finish his first day in a tie for 11th.
Two double-bogeys in Rory McIlroy's last four holes undid a lot of the good work he had done yesterday.
The World Number two was 4-under-par through his opening 14 before disaster struck on 15 and on 17.
McIlroy is now level par, 7 shots off the lead held by England's Justin Rose who is 3 shots clear of the field
McIlroy will resume his second round just before 3, whilst Lowry is back out at 3-15.
Coverage with thanks to Keenan Bauer Motors Mullingar - Your home for Citroen and Honda in the Midlands - Keenanbauer.com
Rory McIlroy Leads Dubai Invitational After Opening Round
Westmeath To Clash In Semi-Finals Of National Elite Championships
Three Laois Clubs Appoint New Hurling Managers
Town Sign Shels Legend Ahead Of New Season
Shane Lowry And Rory McIlroy Paired Together For Dubai Invitational
Five Midlands Players Included In Irish Rugby Training Camp Squad
TUS Midlands Sigerson Cup Season Comes To An End
CCFL: Temple Villa Secure Win On The Road
Athlone Town Announce New Signing Ahead Of 2026 Season
Offaly Will Be Deemed As Underdogs In The League - Declan Kelly
Offaly Rugby Club Gets €30k Development Boost
Offaly Woman Launches Mental Health Support Initiative For GAA Clubs
Offaly All Ireland Winner To Feature On Laochra Gael
Westmeath Manager Positive Ahead Of 2026 Season
Buccaneers Suffer Heavy Home Defeat In AIL
TUS Midlands In Sigerson Cup Action This Evening
Laois Turn Attention To League After Exit From O'Byrne Cup
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Heavy Defeat In Super League
Johnny Kelly Looking Towards Beginning Of League Campaign With Offaly
Grainne Walsh And Patsy Joyce To Compete In Elite Championship Deciders