Despite dose of bad luck, Rory in mix
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy was dialed in, maybe too dialed in. His 9-iron approach at the 18th hole Friday afternoon at Augusta National was perfect, too perfect. The ball hit the flag stick, but instead of dropping in the hole, it rolled off the green.
McIlroy had to settle for bogey on the hole and a 1-over 73 for the day. It left him 1-over for the tournament, but still within striking distance of completing a career Grand Slam by winning the 81st Masters.
“I’m disappointed to finish like that,” McIlroy said. “But I’m still within five of the lead going into the weekend with better conditions on the way. I still feel like I’m right in this tournament.”
McIlroy made three birdies on the second nine Thursday to finish his opening round at even par. He continued to battle the wind Friday, opening birdie, bogey, birdie over his first three holes.
He looked like he had momentum after birdies at the par-4 fifth hole and the par-3 sixth. But they were erased by bogeys at the ninth and the 12th. He managed another birdie at the par-4 17th before his bad luck at the 18th.
“It was just one of those days again where you had to grind out pars and pick up birdies when you could,” McIlroy said. “I was in position after birdieing 17 to maybe get in at under-par for the tournament, and didn’t quite do that. But I’ll try to get off to a fast start tomorrow and that will all be forgotten.”
With warmer weather and lighter winds forecast for the weekend, conditions should be good for scoring. McIlroy, who has won four majors, is always tough to beat if he finds a rhythm.
“I know more than most what can happen on Sundays around here, good and bad,” McIlroy said. “I’ve shot 66 in the last round and I’ve shot 80. It’s just all about getting yourself in position. I feel like I need something in the 60s tomorrow at least to get myself in there. But I’m not disappointed. I’m disappointed by what happened at the [18th]. But I’m in a decent position going into the weekend.”