Rory McIlroy walked off Augusta National on Thursday night with two late double bogeys hanging over what had been a strong round. But instead of sulking, he headed home to put his 4-year-old daughter Poppy to bed. That small moment gave him perspective.
The next day, a chat with legendary sports psychologist Bob Rotella brought a simple message: Be patient.
McIlroy took that advice to heart. On Friday, he responded with a 6-under 66 in the second round of the Masters, surging back into contention and reigniting hopes for a long-awaited green jacket.
Second Nine Sparks McIlroy’s Comeback
The front nine was steady, but the real fireworks came after the turn. McIlroy started his run at the 10th hole with a pinpoint approach to two feet. At the 11th, a 351-yard drive set up another birdie from close range.
On the 12th, he got lucky when his tee shot bounced out of the bushes. He saved par and kept momentum on his side.
At the par-5 13th, McIlroy stood in pine straw 190 yards from the green. After debating between clubs, he went with a 4-iron and feared the shot would land short.
“I was like, ‘You idiot. What did you do?’” McIlroy admitted. But the ball cleared the hazard, and he capitalized.
Revenge on the 15th
On Thursday, McIlroy’s chip on the 15th took a bad hop and ended up in the water, leading to a double bogey. On Friday, he came back to birdie that same hole, showing his mental toughness.
“He just had it going. He didn’t make many mistakes,” said playing partner Akshay Bhatia. “He’s the best driver in the game.”
McIlroy’s performance marked the sixth time he’s shot 66 or better at Augusta, tying him with Jack Nicklaus and Jordan Spieth for second-most in Masters history. Only Tiger Woods, with eight, has more.
Eyes on the Grand Slam
McIlroy, 35, still lacks only the Masters title to complete the career Grand Slam. After years of heartbreak at Augusta, fans and fellow players alike are rallying behind him.
“I’m proud of how I responded,” McIlroy said. “I didn’t let two bad holes dictate the week.”
The leaderboard is stacked. Justin Rose leads at 8-under, followed by Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy is right behind.
Patience Still the Game Plan
Even as he climbed the ranks, McIlroy stayed grounded. He knows better than most that Friday leads don’t guarantee Sunday triumphs.
“Tournaments are long,” he said. “There’s still so much golf left. I told myself I needed to get somewhere between 12- and 15-under to win. There’s still time.”
With two more rounds ahead, MASTERS Rory McIlroy continues to be one of the most compelling storylines in golf. And if he keeps playing like this, he just might slip on that green jacket by Sunday evening.
