Rory McIlroy had an ace up his sleeve heading into this weekend’s Masters Tournament. But he may have already used up all of that magic.
The Northern Irishman completely dominated the opening two days of this year’s competition at Augusta National in Georgia. He posted scores of 67 and 65 through Friday, which gave him a record-setting 6-shot lead midway through this year’s Masters.
McIlroy spoke to reporters on Friday night and shared the secret behind his success: familiarity.
“I think just spending time here,” McIlroy told the media, via Sports Illustrated Bob Harig. “Between the Players and starting (the Masters) on Thursday, I’ve been on this golf course, geez, like Monday, Tuesday last week, then Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I was up here for a day the week before as well.
“I’ve been on this golf course so much the last three weeks, and that’s been a combination of practice and chipping and putting around greens, and then just playing one ball and shooting scores and ending up in weird places that you maybe never find yourself and just trying to figure it out.”
McIlroy even flexed that he had a “couple of days” when he dropped his daughter Poppy off at school in Florida before taking his private jet to Augusta for a round. He was able to fly back home to his Palm Beach Gardens mansion before dinnertime.
The reigning Masters champion may have jinxed himself. McIlroy’s swing was all over the place Saturday during his third round of play. His 6-stroke edge evaporated after a 73 (+1) performance, allowing American Cameron Young to match him for the co-lead heading into the final day of the tournament.
Despite his poor performance, McIlroy expressed full confidence that he could still pull out a win and become just the fourth back-to-back Masters winner ever. Several fans, however, seem to be hoping for a different outcome.
