McIlroy said not compounding errors was key to his score-building on Thursday having birdied all four par-fives after missing the fairway.
Targeting a fast start, he was forced to stay patient as he played the first seven holes in level par before picking up five shots between the eighth and 15th holes.
While he admitted two under par would have been a “fair score” given his errant long game, he was buoyed by how he used the experience accumulated in 17 previous Masters starts to post a better score.
“I couldn’t have asked for much more, especially after the way I started,” the 36-year-old added, speaking to BBC Sport NI.
“In the trees on one, two, five. I’m even more pleased playing the first seven holes in even par. And then when I started to swing it a bit better, I could string some good holes together and make some birdies.
“But I definitely relied on my short game and my experience. Hopefully I hit a few more fairways [on Friday] and give myself a few more chances.”