It was a steady start for Rory McIlroy on Thursday at the Masters Tournament as he parred his first four holes.

And then he bogeyed No. 5 and No. 6 and No. 7. The latter of which came after he hit his father on the left leg with an errant approach shot.

As GolfChannel.com senior writer Ryan Lavner noted, Gerry McIlroy joked, "I should get an autograph," from his son.

McIlroy bounced back with a birdie at the par-5 eighth and was five shots off the early lead in his bid to complete the career Grand Slam.