SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 2 hrs 29 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rory McIlroy credits "colourful" pep talk for second round resurgence

:Headline: Rory McIlroy credits 'colourful' pep talk for second round resurgence: ID:422212: from db_amp
Rory McIlroy's opening 75 was his worst in 12 Masters appearances and left him battling to make the cut, but he bounced back with a second round of 66.

Rory McIlroy followed his worst first round at the Masters with one of his best – and then revealed how a "colourful" pep talk was responsible for the change in fortunes.

McIlroy's opening 75 was his worst in 12 Masters appearances and left him battling to make the cut, but he bounced back in style with a second round of 66 to finish three under par, six shots off the clubhouse lead.

"Jimmy gave me a pep talk in between rounds going on to the range," McIlroy said, referring to his friend and Augusta National member Jimmy Dunne.

"I honestly have been playing so good coming in here, and then I go into the first round and I shoot 75, and I'm like, 'where the hell did that come from?'.

"I knew it was in there, it was just a matter of trusting a little more and being committed. It was better this afternoon."

Asked to describe the pep talk, McIlroy joked: "It was colourful.

"Hopefully I've got my eye in the last 18 holes and I need a couple of days pretty similar over the weekend to give myself a chance."

McIlroy faced a bunker shot on the 10th hole when the first round resumed on Friday morning, but failed to save par and then had to take a penalty drop from the undergrowth with the aid of a club member following a wild drive on the 13th, but at least remembered his manners.

"Thanks and sorry for getting your green jacket dirty," McIlroy said to the official before pitching back on to the fairway on his way to another dropped shot.

McIlroy also bogeyed the 14th and followed a much-needed birdie on the 15th by pulling his tee shot on the 16th into the water.

Rory McIlroy struggled towards the end of his first round (Matt Slocum/AP)

"That's so bad, oh my God," McIlroy exclaimed in exasperation, although he was at least able to salvage a bogey following a mediocre pitch from the drop zone.

"I was thinking coming into this morning, get this ball up and down on 10, play the last few holes in three or four under par, get in and then go again, and I did the complete opposite," McIlroy added.

"That wasn't ideal, and obviously wasn't what I was thinking of. I turned it around nicely and shot a good one, at least gave myself a chance going into the weekend."

McIlroy started his second round on the back nine and birdied the 10th, 12th, 15th and 17th before picking up further shots on the second and eighth.

amp_article__422212 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-13 22:27:09:
html db last update - 2020-11-13 22:27:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Rory McIlroy

Share this article now:
Read more about Rory McIlroy Jimmy Dunne Golf
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .