Time moves on, new history is created. And, as Tom Watson played his final ever tournament stroke on the hallowed turf of Augusta National, others – most notably Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth – chased their own destinies. In the Northern Irishman’s case, a quest to complete the career Grand Slam, once an impossible dream, edged ever closer to a reality.
McIlroy aims to find redemption among the azaleas, dogwood and cathedral pines as he chases down Spieth going into the final 36-holes of this 80th edition of the US Masters.
“I sort of feel that Augusta owes me something and I have come with that attitude. I have come here to get something that I should have had a long time ago. You need to be so focused and in control of your emotions here. It’s about not getting fazed and mentally I have been good the last couple of days. I need to keep that going for the next two days,” said McIlroy, who trails Spieth by one stroke
On a day when players were buffeted by winds which gusted upwards of 30 miles an hour, and caddies second-guessed their numbers and club selections, McIlroy shot a 71 for 141, three-under-par, to inveigle a route to the business end of affairs.
With former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and One Direction’s Niall Horan among those supporting him, McIlroy heads into the weekend in hot pursuit of Spieth but with the calmness of heads. Here, patience is very much a virtue.
Spieth, who showed his fallibility when four-putting the fifth hole of his second round for a double bogey, had to battle hard on his homeward run for a 74 for 140. Of playing with McIlroy, he said: “I don’t think either one of us is focused on each other. I think we’re focused on the golf course . . . . it’s exciting to play with Rory. I enjoy it. I have the utmost respect for him.”
As Tom Watson bid farewell, so too others, among them Phil Mickelsonand and Charl Schwartzel, were casualties. But Bubba Watson survived on the cut mark of plus-six, after the 10-shot rule was invoked.
Ian Poulter, who slid from contention to the fringes, was succinct in his analysis of just how tough the course played. “It has given me what I deserved today which is a right kick in the nuts,” said the Englishman. Others many have felt such sentiments, Poulter, never shy about coming forward, expressed them.
For McIlroy, though, there was a sub-par round which enabled him to leapfrog onwards and upwards. As the wind whistled through the pines, there were times when McIlroy wondered about his gameplan. But his caddie JP Fitzgerald’s voice kept whispering in his ears. It told him of how tough it was, how pars were good. He didn’t have to chase birdies all the time.
“It’s Augusta National, and especially in conditions like this with pin positions the way they were, it was tough and I just needed to stay patient,” said the world number three, who produced a strong finish - birdies on 15 and 16 - to push his cause.
McIlroy - seeking to join the most elite club in professional golf, those who have won career Grand Slam which currently numbers Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods - has manoeuvred into a challenging position heading into the final two rounds.
Spieth, seeking wire-to-wire wins for successive years, opined: “I have two more days to give it everything I have, and that’s what we’ll do, just to try and keep myself right on top. “
Of the quartet of Irishmen in the field, McIlroy and Shane Lowry - who posted a 76 for 144 - were the only survivors. Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke failed to make the final 36-holes. McIlroy, especially, and Lowry, who demonstrated commendable patience particularly after a double bogey five on the 12th, can move forward with intent in chasing down Spieth.
All the way around, McIlroy kept himself aware of where he stood. “You can’t ignore the scoreboard. I think you look up and you see it. I think at one point I was maybe seven or eight shots back of Jordan today. It just shows you how quickly things can change, especially here on this golf course and these conditions.”
He added: “I think the good thing, the most comfortable thing for me on this golf course is knowing that even if you are five or six shots back, things can change quite quickly. I’ve been on the opposite end of that where things can start to get away from you. But that gives me confidence knowing that if you are a little bit behind, you can definitely make a comeback.”
Lowry - paired with US amateur Bryson DeChambeau for the third round - has shown fortitude of his own. “You have to be mentally strong and tough and I managed to keep my head on quite well today and play some golf. A little disappointed with 76 but the two round total is good. It’s up to me to do what I can tomorrow and give myself half a chance for Sunday,” said the Offalyman.
