Defending champion Rory McIlroy has served notice he intends to defend his title, taking the largest 36-hole lead into the weekend at The Masters.
McIlroy, 36, birdied the final three holes, including a long chip-in from off the 17th green, to shoot a 7-under 65 and take a six-shot lead at 12-under par into the final 36-holes. Previously, the largest lead after two rounds was five shots, done six times, and all but one of those won the tournament, the only failure 90 years ago when the balata balls had grid patterns and square "dimples."
Sam Burns and former champion Patrick Reed are at 6-under; Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose are at 5-under.
McIlroy is trying to become just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters: Jack Nicklaus; Nick Faldo; Tiger Woods.
My take: Rory's bugaboo was always that first round, but he exorcised that Thursday, with an opening-round 67. Shot 65 Friday and missed fairways all day. Someone in that group of five golfers behind him is going to have to shoot a 63 or 64 Saturday to keep him within reach.
THE ASYLUM
McIlroy masterful
Defending champion Rory McIlroy has served notice he intends to defend his title, taking the largest 36-hole lead into the weekend at The Masters.
McIlroy, 36, birdied the final three holes, including a long chip-in from off the 17th green, to shoot a 7-under 65 and take a six-shot lead at 12-under par into the final 36-holes. Previously, the largest lead after two rounds was five shots, done six times, and all but one of those won the tournament, the only failure 90 years ago when the balata balls had grid patterns and square "dimples."
Sam Burns and former champion Patrick Reed are at 6-under; Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose are at 5-under.
McIlroy is trying to become just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters: Jack Nicklaus; Nick Faldo; Tiger Woods.
My take: Rory's bugaboo was always that first round, but he exorcised that Thursday, with an opening-round 67. Shot 65 Friday and missed fairways all day. Someone in that group of five golfers behind him is going to have to shoot a 63 or 64 Saturday to keep him within reach.
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