Masters: Rory Mcilroy proud of the resistance in the national ‘reset’ of Augusta to enhance the Grand Slam hope

Rory Mcilroy praised his great resistance and support from sports psychologist Bob Rotella after finding himself in a claim for Grand Slam in his career at masters.

McIlroy arrived in Augusta National among the favorites to win the first major since 2014 and began his dream on the opening day, playing his first 14 holes in four below, only on the card two double beetles in three holes late in his circle.

World no. 2 did not talk to the media after his level 72 left seven blows behind the early leader of Justin Rose, the seventh in a row, which he was six or more, after the first round, only to reject him in a spectacular way on Friday morning.

McIlroy started the patient with the second round as he reached the turn at 35, before the next six holes fired an eagle and three birds on a 66-headed map without any weekend and entered the weekend just two shots behind the Halfway-Leader Rose.

“I think, overall, he is proud of myself as I answered today after the end,” McIlroy said. I just had to remind myself that I played a really good golf yesterday.

“I didn’t want to let two bad holes somehow dictate the narrative for the rest of the week. But yes, in the end I am proud of how I returned to her.

“Once I left the property, I tried to leave what happened here. I rushed home to see (daughter) poppy before she went to bed and I feel like I did a good reset.

“I had a good conversation with Bob Rotella (sports psychologist) about not pushing too early, I just tried to stay really, really patient and it was rewarded with a beautiful little move in the middle of a circle.

“I don’t think I have proven anything, if I have supported anything else, I have a belief I have in myself and the belief that I am as resilient as anyone else here.”

McIlroy’s circle revealed himself on the day of the opening when he was twice kicked by Part 15, after scoring a slope in danger of water with his third goal, but he played a hole of three shots better with a bird in the second round.

“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 lowest position,” McIlroy added.

“Last night, he was a good reminder that you just have to have wit on each one one golf crack. Then today, when another shot was in the air, it was a little touch and started.

“Even where the ball ended up on the slope, I thought I was running to make Mark to make sure she wouldn’t run down the hill. It was nice to make four there to continue the swing I built those previous holes.”

McIlroy returned on a trip or with work?

Only one of the last 19 winners of Masters is more than four goals after the first round, although McIlroy remained in the hunt to join Sir Nick Nick Faldou (1990) and Tiger Woods (2005) as the only players who returned from seven after the opening day to August National and win a green jacket.

“These are phenomenal things,” Faldo Sky Sports said. “To continue after yesterday and two duels, I felt that he basically returned to Zero and started over and over. This will be won at 10 or 12 below, there is a lot of time; there is three rounds to reach that result.

“He looked great, everything is how you react when something goes wrong. Once you start seeing problems, you have to deal with the next hole.

“He has been here enough times, he knows that the dangerous parts are greenery. Don’t try to be a hero and land right to a number, give yourself half a chance. It really looks like it can do it this time.”

Former Captain Ryder Cup Paul McGinley, commenting on Sky Sports, added: “He (McIlroy) would be devastated by walking from the golf course yesterday. He played great and left four or five shots behind him, especially when you see someone like Scottie Scheffler going for such a quick start.

“He recalibrated last night and reset, but I think he was lucky today. I think many things have passed him and that he could easily be four or five shots today. Lady Luck shone, but I guess that is balanced over time.

“He was almost without that yesterday – he was sure to be mentally at the end of that circle. He returned well today with a good result and put himself where he needed to go into the weekend, because this is infamous what does badly.

“His point average of scoring during the first two rounds were two shots bigger than the weekend. Now he’s here for the weekend. Can he go and continue? That’s a question.”

When do masters live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports Golf It will display record live coverage hours from 2025 competition, including multiple actions in the last two rounds than the previous year. The new addition shows the Masters Build-up show live from 3pm during the weekend before complete coverage starting at 5 pm, and covers all the actions until the end of the game.

Sky Sports+ on Sky Q and Sky Glass will provide an abundance of bonus feeds and allow you to follow the progress of the players through various parts of the famous August look, including Amen Corner and more.

Who will win the masters? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage in the third round begins with a collection of Masters from 3pm, on the eve of a full coverage of 5pm. Get Sky Sports or Stream without a contract now.