Rory McIlroy finds himself on the edge of contention at the Masters, relieved to have avoided the dreaded missed cut, a fate he’s encountered twice in recent years. Battling through brutal winds, McIlroy’s game faltered, with his second round 77 leaving him trailing the leaders, Max Homa, Bryson DeChambeau, and Scottie Scheffler, who jointly hold the lead at six under par.
Despite technical improvements under coach Butch Harmon following the Players Championship, McIlroy’s game unravelled amidst the challenging conditions. Notably, his usually reliable driver betrayed him, leading to errant tee shots and struggles to find the fairway.
Reflecting on his difficult round, McIlroy lamented the challenging conditions and the struggle to find rhythm, particularly on the 11th hole. However, he salvaged some hope with a par-saving putt on the final hole, expressing optimism for improved conditions in the weekend rounds.
McIlroy wasn’t the only top player to face adversity. Defending champion Jon Rahm also found himself grappling with his swing in the wind, finishing just one shot ahead of McIlroy.
The treacherous conditions at Augusta National claimed other victims, with big names like Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Wyndham Clark failing to navigate the course’s challenges. Frustration boiled over for some, with Zach Johnson’s outburst at patrons following a crucial triple bogey at the 12th hole highlighting the intensity of the day.
In the aftermath, Johnson denied swearing at spectators but acknowledged the pressure of the moment and hinted at a potential apology. As the tournament progresses, players will look to regroup and adapt to the unpredictable conditions, knowing that the Masters has a history of surprises and dramatic comebacks.