Halfway to 2018 masters, Rory McIlroy dream to complete a career Grand slam alive and well, but he has to find his 2016 Ryder Cup rival Patrick reed, who has a 2-stroke margin mark Leishman after signing a 6-under 66.
On a day when the Average score was more than one stroke higher than Thursday, McIlroy fought swirling winds and posted a 1-under 71, good for a share of fourth place with American Jordan spieth.
“I am very pleased,” said McIlroy. “I feel like I could shoot another round in the 60-ies, but anything under par was very good and I’m in a good position heading into the weekend.”
McIlroy made three bogey in his first six holes, but remained patient and waited for his chance on the back nine. He took advantage of his length and made birdie on 13 and then rolled over on a 30-foot shot for birdie on 14.
This is the 10th appearance McIlroy on masters and the experience of past failures, hence the success in winning the four majors are to serve him well. Just five holes into his round, McIlroy realized that he would have to temper his aggressive game plan.
“After the sixth hole, I just told myself, ‘Fairways and greens will be fine,” said McIlroy. “In these conditions, Pars are all right. Sometimes Pars can be a bit boring, and you might feel as if you want to get a little more out of your range, but as you look at the leaderboard and you are still there around the leader that it took some time for me to adjust.”
McIlroy needs to win the masters to become the sixth player to complete the career Grand slam and join gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary player, Jack Nicklaus and tiger woods in this exclusive club.
Reid, 27, and McIlroy got engaged in one of the all-time single Ryder Cup matches at the national facilities in 2016, with reed coming out on top with a birdie on the final green. But Reid hasn’t won, his best finish coming in the championship in 2017 PGA, where he finished tied for second.
The condition of the goods of Augusta made birdie half the holes on Friday, and is the only player on the field to birdie every par 5 in two rounds.
Leishman, 34, is his closest pursuer after rounds of 67. In Australia witnessed what it takes to win here in 2013 when he played along with champion Adam Scott.
“I just took my opportunities when I got them. If it was making a putt on the 14th or, you know, hitting the water at 15”, he said. “She will not come to you. You must go and win”.
Leishman did just that on Friday, covers a 4-iron from 210 yards that just cleared the pond at 15. His ball kicks forward up to 5 feet, and he made the putt for eagle.
While Reid and Leishman looking for his first major, the next five names on the leaderboard have a major championship trophy on his mantle. In 2016 the Open championship, Henrik Stenson carded 70 to 5 while the ruling Open champion Jordan spieth struggled early and settled in 74.
“The fact that he did not let this tournament get rid of it,” said Golf channel commentator Brandel Chamblee. “He dug deep and played a magnificent nine.”
The world No. 1 Dustin Johnson made birdie on three consecutive holes, beginning at 13 route to a 68 and tied at 3 under with Justin Thomas, who kept his bid for a second consecutive large living with a Sizzling 67.
Tiger woods (75) and Phil Mickelson (77), who made a triple bogie on the 9th, both moved back, but managed to make the cut at 5-over 147. Woods, who heads into the weekend at 4 over, blame the clubs of the beam and the lack of distance control with his irons on his uneven round that left him at 4 over 36 holes. The forest still kept it in perspective.
“Six months ago, I don’t know if I’m going to play Golf. Forget to play the Tour, I don’t know if I ever play again. But it’s incredible to have the opportunity to still come here and play this Golf course. Now I know that I for the weekend. Although I’m in if I’ll play at the weekend to shoot two rounds in the mid 60-ies, you never know. “
While Reid is in the lead with 36-hole aggregate of 9, rainy weather expected for Saturday and he can change the complexion of the tournament. But it didn’t bother Reid one bit.
“I’m from Texas,” he said. “It’s blowing 40 and rain every day it seems. I would say that I like it when it’s difficult.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
