THE GRAND SLAM club won’t have to worry about making room for a new member.
Not this week, anyway.
Rory McIlroy arrived at Augusta National hoping to become only the sixth player in the modern era to win all four of golf’s biggest events.
He was already in trouble after Day 1, shooting a 1-under 71 that left him seven shots off the lead. By the time McIlroy teed off Friday, he was facing a double-digit deficit to the leader, Jordan Spieth.
Playing like he knew he had no chance, McIlroy made three bogeys and a double-bogey on the way to a 4-over 40 on the front side. At that point, he was trailing Spieth by a staggering 17 strokes. His focus turned to playing well enough on the back side to at least earn make the cut and continue playing this weekend.
As for the career Grand Slam, that will have to wait until next year at Augusta.
With McIlroy’s pursuit on hold, the Grand Slam focus turns back to Phil Mickelson. He, too, is missing only one title from his resume — the next one on the schedule, the US Open in June.
Shane Lowry had more modest goals come to Augusta for the first time but he too looks to be disappointed.
The Offaly native was level par today and +3 for the tournament but he’ll be packing his bags it seems.
Pádraig Harrington did not enjoy his return to the famous old course – he was +5 today and will head down Magnolia Lane with Lowry.
Tiger Woods meanwhile produced his best golf of the year to date, firing a three-under par 69 in the second round of the Masters.
The four-time former winner walked off the course with a two-under total of 142, comfortably making the cut for the weekend, although he stood an imposing 12 shots off the pace set by Jordan Spieth.
Woods called a timeout on himself in mid February to work on putting his crumbling game back together and was in doubt until the Friday before Masters week, when he played a practice round at Augusta National.
Prior to his break from competition, the 14-time major champion had endured a career-worst 82 at Phoenix and a withdrawal through back pain after 11 holes at Torrey Pines.
The 39-year-old former world number one had four birdies against one bogey today and, while, his driving was at time wayward, he looked far more comfortable with his hitherto suspect short-game.
More to follow
- © AFP, 2014, Associated Press
That Speith guy is some operator….lowest 36 hole total ever, in all the years of The Masters, at 14 under, and still only 21 y o.
Unless he blows up over the weekend, the 2015 Masters title should be his.
hope he doesn’t , always good ta see an underdog punching above his expected level
The 3rd favourite underdog? Only McIlroy and Watson had shorter odds.
I’m left with Bubba to uphold my ostentatious betting investments
We won’t have to listen to anymore of his s.hite talk for another year now.
Mcilroy needs to learn to keep the mouth shut and concentrate on playing the game. Keeps putting out soundbites which makes those of us with only a passing interest in the sport think he is a complete tosser. Show the course no respect? How’s that working out for ya fella!
Ian did you ever best of free speech.
amen correct on everything you posted
He is the top ranked golfer in the world, of course the worlds media are constantly following him and trying to pick up any “soundbites” they can from him. For the vast majority of his interviews, i find him level headed and respectful to his opponents!
He hit -1 both days. Not like he hit +6.
You’ve only a “passing interest” in golf, which is his career, and yet you tell him to shut his mouth talking about it!
You’re some boy to talk about respect. Tosser!
Those English lads are useless!
You never sleep ?
Hey there… I was but that notification woke me.
Gotcha. Mm by the way . Not good you green thumb yourself
As a Lone irish person. Do you have any good sites.?not gay
I mean irish
Fair play for shooting 31 on the back rory damage was done first nine though hope Phil or rose can make some birdies tommorow and put some pressure on spieth
Still a legend Rory, it’ll come if not this year then soon #nationaltreasure
Fair play to him,
Next year will be his year….
Jordan Spieth is incredible! How is he only 21?! He looks so mature and calm on the course, really hope he gets the green jacket on Sunday.
“Gutted” – the most overused word to convey unhappiness in modern Ireland and UK thanks to Masterchef losers…
There’s a lot of golf to be played yet.Its a tall order but don’t rule McIlroy out just yet.
Very true, the real golf starts on Saturday, it’s so much harder on the Saturday and Sunday anything can happen yet
Its in his head now…..he’ll never win the masters…..put money on him winning the us pga or the open though this year!
Shirley he can afford to just BUY a green jacket ?
Who’s Shirley? Surely you mean surely??
I reckon his newly Found guns can only be a plus on the driving range.. Its all in the hips michael
Ps told ye last night like the dubs in clones last Sunday they are awesome and spieth is a freak.his swing is so easy while Rory over swings and will b like tiger. Back probs already showing.hate to gloat but I told my son 6 moths ago that he’ll b the first golfer to make 200mill.like Peter cavanan when I first saw him playing I realised I was watching something unreal.my first Ulster final was 1965 down v Cavan in clones and have loved every year since. We had a barren period tween 68 and 77 then 91 but
It m makes u appreciate it all the more.i caught one of the balls frank mc Guigan put over the bar only 1 of 11 I but unfortunat didn’t realise the signifance at the time.seamie daly my gd friend from Augher was no13 that day.wee paddy fox was 15.i actually have the ball muggy beat us with in 2005 if anyone wants to raise funds for charity(I learned from frank the yank).again for charity only I have signed jerseys by both teams in 2008 in the same frame.
Go home man, you’re drunk.
Je said a good point man
Ah, hard to call! Although Rory was favourite, its massively hard to call… just like the national… GiddyUp!!
Rory is lifting too many weights! He’s losing the natural feel of his clubs and that of a golf ball. He’s all tensed up…
Reckon his new found guns are doing only good in the driving range.. All in the hips Michael
Is he irish ?
He’s british, not irish.
Ah ha i got my anser. So he is irish after all
Rory didn’t have any spring today but it Spring Heeled for me in the Grand National
Although he might be playing golf, im sure he has a talent with the hurley and slitor
Im drunk as well
Too much of a circus round McElroy going into this. It was almost like he’d only to turn up. Speight will win by at least 5/6 shots.
Do is he irish?
Who ever wrote this article, must be short of esteem( as we call it) he is one of the most profilic sportif and all the best main man to come out of ireland( after george best) for the réal alround ireland in a nutshell.if we lose him well we lose a lot of wasted time
Rory looks like he’s competing with Nikki Minaj in the big arse stakes with those tight white keks
Looks like he’ll have to wait at least another year to become Sir Roderick.
I mean so
Get your tenner on Justin Rose, in case the wheels come off, even if they just get loose, he will be there .