Rory battles to 1-under 71

AUGUSTA − If Rory McIlroy goes on to win the Masters, Thursday’s opening round could be the key.

The World No. 1, who is looking to complete a career Grand Slam with his third straight major win, got the most out of his round on a day he didn’t bring his A game. He shot a 1-under-par 71, his ninth straight under-par round in the majors.

“It could have been a round that got away from me,” he said. “I just kept telling myself to be patient out there. It was good to get into red numbers after one day and I feel the way I’m driving the ball, if I can keep doing that and just be a little more patient with my iron play, I hope to be right there at the end of the week.”

OLD TOM

Tom Watson finally played up to his age and it paid off. Last year’s Ryder Cup captain took advantage of ideal playing conditions to card a 1-under par 71. The 65-year-old is in position to become the oldest player to make the cut at the Masters. Gary Player was 62 in 2009.

“It’s fun to be able to at least be in red figures at Augusta National,” he said. “At my age, it’s a minor miracle.”

Watson hasn’t made the cut since 2010 when he tied for 18th. He’s missed the cut 11 of the last 12 years.

Watson was asked if he chatted with Phil Mickelson, who ripped his Ryder Cup captaincy. “No, we just said hello and that was it,” he said.

DISTRACTED BUBBA

Defending champ Bubba Watson is in decent shape at 1-under, although he became distracted by the pace of play. “I got a little tired . . . 5:15 to play golf,” he said. “Both my tee shots (on the last two holes) were way to the left, just shoved them. I was just tired. I was not committed, not focused.”

NICE WAY TO START

Charley Hoffman set the early pace with a 67 playing in the first group of the day right after Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer hit their ceremonial first tee shots.

“It was cool getting up this morning and warming up with Jack, Arnie and Gary,” he said. “Puts the nerves at ease, really, watching those guys warm up.

“Out there at the putting green, I actually got Jack and Arnie’s autograph this morning; they were nice enough to do that. I was sort of scared, should I ask them, should I not ask them? My mind wasn’t really on golf really, I was watching those guys.”

BIG THREE

The Big Three got things started with Palmer, who is coming off a shoulder injury, hitting a low hook and Nicklaus and Player hitting the fairway. Player was the long man. Palmer was asked what he was thinking before the shot. “I said, ‘Don’t fan it,’ ” he conceded.

“I don’t think he was kidding,” Nicklaus said after the laughter stopped. “He said exactly the same thing to me.”

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

Ben Crenshaw, playing his final Masters, struggled with a 91 and without his longtime caddie Carl Jackson, who was too ill to make the walk.

“The people were so nice today. I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to, I played so poorly,” Crenshaw said. “I’m ready to get it over with tomorrow.”

Crenshaw said Jackson will be with him in some way Friday. . . . Tiger Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava, wore a Rangers Tshirt under his overalls. The Connecticut native is a big fan of the Blueshirts and the football Giants.