Rory McIlroy has lost the lead at the Masters but remains very much in contention. He showed it on the course during the third round, when things were at their worst for him, with immaculate body language. No complaining, no grimacing, no allowing frustration to take hold. And he proved it again at the end of his round when speaking to the media. He didn’t dodge any questions and answered naturally and with conviction. He knows what happened and has a very clear game plan for tomorrow
“Obviously, I would have liked to have kept all of the lead or at least some advantage, but I can’t forget that I am still the co-leader at the Masters. That said, I’m very clear that I must play better if I want to give myself a chance to win this Sunday,” confessed the Northern Irishman minutes after finishing his round
Rory called the bogey at the 1st hole “stupid” and didn’t blame himself for much else. If anything, the shots at the 12th and the 13th. He admits that there he did stray from the plan under the pressure of the double bogey. “The shot at the 12th was very awkward because I was between clubs and had to play a three-quarter shot. Sometimes, with that kind of shot, my hands close more than they should,” he says. Meanwhile, at the 13th, pressed by that +3 over two holes, Rory admits he over-protected to avoid the left side entirely on his tee shot
Aside from that, McIlroy has been proud of his ability to respond on two occasions, especially with the birdies at the 14th and the 15th. “I finished by hitting some very good shots. The second at the 15th, for example, was superb. I had good memories of what happened there last year. The tee shots at the 14th and the 18th were also very good. A shame about the bogey at the 17th, as I’d have liked to finish at even par or under, but not much more”
Rory went straight to the practice range as soon as he had spoken to the media. “I know what happened to me with those small errors I had at the 12th and the 6th, with the balls that went left. It happens when I don’t move the lower part of my body properly. I’m going to the range now to iron that out. I know how to neutralise it and there shouldn’t be any problem tomorrow”
Regarding the feature match with Cameron Young, McIlroy trusts that last year’s experience will help him. “I’d like to think I’ll play a bit more freely and that I’ll play as if I already had a green jacket, which I do, and I’ll stick to the plan of being aggressive and committed to every shot, even if I might miss some, which can happen. Last year it was a much tenser final match. I’m sure this time with Cameron Young, whom I played the first two days with, the atmosphere will be easier. I think it’s a comfortable match for both of us. I’m positive. I hit some very good shots at the end and stayed focused. No problem”
Zero drama for Rory McIlroy. He already knows what he’ll face this Sunday. His situation could certainly be better, without a doubt, but it remains enviable
