McIlroy and Lowry in contention at the Masters after brilliant second rounds
by The 42 · The42RORY MCILROY AND Shane Lowry have both surged into contention in the Masters at Augusta after brilliant second rounds.
McIlroy’s stunning form on the back nine saw him fire a round of 66 to move to six-under for the tournament, recovering from his nightmare finish to yesterday’s opening round. Lowry is only a shot behind on five-under after his 68 today.
Justin Rose is the clubhouse leader on eight-under after a 71 today, with Bryson DeChambeau on seven-under at the halfway point after his 68. McIlroy is currently third with Lowry in a tie for fourth place.
Canadian golfers Corey Conners and world number Scottie Scheffler, are both amongst those in the middle of their second rounds, aiming to make inroads on Rose’s lead.
Less than 24 hours after it appeared to be on life support, Rory McIlroy spectacularly revived his bid to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam.
McIlroy shrugged off the crushing disappointment of two late double bogeys in the space of three holes in his opening 72 to card an eagle and four birdies in a second-round 66 which drew a standing ovation from the patrons around the 18th green at Augusta National.
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McIlroy needed a fast start on Friday to get back into contention but could only cover the front nine in 35, before kickstarting his challenge in style with stunning approach shots to the 10th and 11th setting up tap-in birdies.
The four-time major champion then enjoyed a massive slice of luck on the 12th as his tee shot bounded over the green into the bushes, only to kick back towards the putting surface from where he two-putted for par.
There was no luck involved, although plenty of risk, on the 13th as McIlroy went for the green in two from the pine straw, his iron shot just carrying Rae’s Creek and setting up an eagle attempt from 10 feet he duly converted.
The par-five 15th had cost McIlroy one of his double bogeys on Thursday but it was a different story in round two, the world number two safely finding the green in two and two-putting from 90 feet for birdie.
Rose, who finished runner-up to Jordan Spieth in 2015 and lost a play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2017, recorded four birdies and three bogeys in his 71 and was relishing the prospect of taking on the likes of McIlroy, DeChambeau and defending champion Scottie Scheffler over the weekend.
“That’s the company that I expect to keep, and that’s where I have tried to be my whole career,” Rose said.
“That’s where I’ve been for a lot of my career. I’ve been a top-10 player in the world for a decade or more so this is nice to be back in that mix, a hundred per cent.”
Lowry began the day on one-under after a 71 yesterday. He birdied the 2nd, bogeyed the 4th, but then moved up the gears on the front nine with birdies on the 6th and 8th holes.
Further birdies arrived on the par-four 10th and the par-four 14th, to leave the Offaly native at five-under at the midway mark. He came close to a birdie on the 18th as his putt just stopped short and had to settle for four straight pars to finish, leaving him in the hunt heading into the weekend.
- Additional reporting by PA