Rory McIlroy praised his own major resilience and the support of sports psychologist Bob Rotella after charging back into contention for the career Grand Slam at The Masters.
McIlroy arrived at Augusta National among the favourites to win a first major since 2014 and made a dream start on the opening day, playing his first 14 holes in four under, only to card two double-bogeys in a three-hole stretch late in his round.
The world No 2 did not speak to the media after a level-par 72 left him seven strokes behind early leader Justin Rose, the seventh consecutive year he has been six or more back after the first round, only for him to bounce back in spectacular fashion on Friday morning.
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McIlroy reflected on bouncing back from a nightmare finish to his opening round to post a second-round 66
McIlroy made a patient start to his second round as he reached the turn in 35, before firing an eagle and three birdies in his next six holes to card a bogey-free 66 and head into the weekend just two strokes behind halfway-leader Rose.
“I think, overall, just proud of myself with how I responded today after the finish last night,” McIlroy said. I just had to remind myself that I played really good golf yesterday.
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McIlroy made an eagle at the par-five 13th hole to close further on the lead
“I wasn’t going to let two bad holes sort of dictate the narrative for the rest of the week. But, yeah, ultimately just proud of how I got back into it.
“Once I left the property I tried to leave what had happened here. I rushed home to see (daughter) Poppy before she went to bed and I feel like I did a good job of resetting.
“I had a good conversation with Bob Rotella (sports psychologist) about not pushing too hard too early, just tried to stay really, really patient and that was rewarded with a nice little stretch in the middle of the round.
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McIlroy started his second nine in his second round with a stunning birdie
“I don’t think I proved anything, if anything I just backed up the belief I have in myself and the belief that I’m as resilient as anyone else out here.”
McIlroy’s round unravelled on the opening day when he double-bogeyed the par-five 15th, having chipped down the slope into the water hazard with his third shot, but he played the hole three strokes better with a second-round birdie.
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McIlroy was forced to wait three minutes to hit his chip on the 15th hole on Thursday due to slow play from his playing partner Akshay Bhatia, with Paul McGinley suggesting it caused the Northern Irishman to lose focus
“I was so frustrated last night because I played so well, and you can make these big numbers from absolutely nowhere on this golf course, just like the most benign position,” McIlroy added.
“It was a good reminder last night that you just have to have your wits about it you on every single golf shot. Then today, when the second shot was in the air, it was a little touch and go.
McIlroy is making his 17th appearance at The Masters
“Even where the ball finished sort of on the slope, I was thinking of running to mark it to make sure it wasn’t going to run back down the hill. It was nice to make a four there to keep the momentum going that I had built up through those previous holes.”
McIlroy back on track or with work to do?
Only one of the last 19 Masters winners has been more than four shots off the lead after the first round, although McIlroy remains in the hunt to join Sir Nick Faldo (1990) and Tiger Woods (2005) as the only players to come back from seven behind following the opening day at Augusta National and win the Green Jacket.
“It’s fabulous stuff,” Faldo told Sky Sports. “To go on after yesterday and the two doubles, I felt he’d basically gone back to zero and starts again. This is going to be won at 10 or 12 under, he’s got plenty of time; he’s got three rounds to get to that score.
“He’s looked great, it’s all how you react when something goes wrong. Once you start seeing the trouble, you have to deal with it the next hole.
“He’s been around here enough times, he knows sections of the green that are dangerous. Don’t try and be a hero and land right on the number, give yourself half a chance. He really looks like he can do it this time.”
McIlroy’s major record since his 2014 PGA Championship victory
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, commentating for Sky Sports, added: “He [McIlroy] would have been devastated walking off that golf course yesterday. He played brilliantly and left four or five shots behind him, particularly when you see somebody like Scottie Scheffler getting off to such a fast start.
“He recalibrated last night and reset himself, but I think he’s been fortunate today. I think a number of things have gone his way and he could easily be four or five shots worse today. Lady Luck has shone, but I guess that balances out over time.
McIlroy heads into the weekend on six under at Augusta National
“He was nearly out of it yesterday – he certainly was mentally at the end of that round. He has done well to come back today with a good score and put himself where he needs to be going into the weekend, because notoriously that’s what he does badly.
“His scoring average over the first two rounds has been two shots higher than the weekend. Now he’s here for the weekend. Can he go and push on? That’s the question.”
When is The Masters live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports Golf will be showing record hours of live coverage from the 2025 contest, including more action over the final two rounds than previous years. A new addition sees a Masters build-up show live from 3pm over the weekend ahead of full coverage starting at 5pm, covering all the action until after the close of play.
Sky Sports+ on Sky Q and Sky Glass will provide plenty of bonus feeds and allow you to follow players’ progress through various parts of Augusta’s famous layout, including Amen Corner and more.
Who will win The Masters? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the third round begins with Masters build-up from 3pm, ahead of full coverage from 5pm. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
