As CBS commentator Jim Nantz rightly stated during Saturday’s third round coverage of the Masters from Augusta National, Rory McIlroywas playing “out of his mind” as he quickly jumped into sole possession of the lead and did not look back.
The Northern Irishman wasted no time, shooting a birdie, an eagle and another birdie on the first three holes to squeeze past Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose for the lead.
The out of mind play from the 35-year-old did not cease there.
McIlroy made Masters history by becoming the first golfer to ever begin his round by carding five consecutive threes, according to the PGA Tour.
He would par the sixth hole to make it six straight before a par-four seventh hole ended the streak.
“It was such a great way to start, and you know, just to come out of the blocks like that, I think, as well, from finishing yesterday afternoon to teeing off today, it’s quite a long time,” McIlroy told reporters. “You know, there’s a lot of anticipation and sort of anxious energy that builds up. You just want to get out there and play.”
McIlroy rebounded from a disastrous first round to slide all the way to a tie for third on the leaderboard after Friday’s second round, sitting two strokes back of Rose’s lead.
Looking for his maiden iconic green jacket and a career grand slam, the four-time major winner McIlroy knew it was do-or-die time at golf’s most prized event.
Despite stumbling with bogeys on holes eight and 10, McIlroy persevered and even shot his second eagle of the round - the first time in his illustrious career doing so in a major.
The world No. 2 McIlroy ended Moving Day at the Masters 6-under 66 for the second consecutive day and holds a two-stroke lead going into Sunday’s final round over Bryson DeChambeau.
A long time coming for McIlroy
It’s been 11 years now since his last major victory, the Masters is the only major title which has eluded McIlroy.
A few weeks ago, McIlroy’s daughter came home from school and asked, “Daddy, are you famous?” When telling the story, he laughed and said, “It depends who you ask.”
If he wins on Sunday, there will be no denying it.
McIlroy was quick to call the support he had from fans “amazing.”
“These Patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back. They are some of the most knowledgeable golf Patrons or spectators that we play in front of,” McIlroy told CNN after the round Saturday.
“Yeah, look, it’s a pleasure to play in front of them and to have that atmosphere and that support. Tomorrow in that final group is going to be – it’s going to be a little rowdy and a little loud. I’m just going to have to settle in and really try to keep myself in my own little bubble and keep my head down and, you know, sort of approach tomorrow with the same attitude that I have tried to approach the last three days with.”
