McIlroy’s historic Masters lead

Rory McIlroy didn’t just take the lead at Augusta on Friday. He finished the second round at 12-under-par with a six-shot cushion, which ESPN and Yahoo both described as the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) The burst came late. McIlroy shot a 7-under 65 on April 10 and piled up six birdies over his last seven holes, turning a crowded leaderboard into a one-man chase before the weekend even started. (espn.com) (cbssports.com) That kind of gap is unusual at this tournament because Augusta National usually squeezes the field back together. One bad miss can mean bogey or worse, so a six-shot lead after only two rounds is more like a quarterback being up three scores before halftime than a golfer being one hot putter away from trouble. (sports.yahoo.com) (espn.com) The name on top makes it heavier. McIlroy is not just any leader this week; he is the defending Masters champion, and Yahoo reported that his 12-under total through 36 holes is three shots better than any defending champion had ever managed at that point. (sports.yahoo.com) That changes the mood of the tournament because everyone else is now playing against McIlroy’s scorecard instead of just the course. If he keeps making pars and mixes in a few birdies, the players behind him have to attack pins they would normally avoid. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) There is also history sitting on McIlroy’s shoulder at this course. ESPN noted that he had a two-shot lead after 36 holes at the 2011 Masters, stretched it to four shots entering the final round, and then closed with an 80 in one of Augusta’s most famous collapses. (espn.com) That old scar is part of why this lead feels different now. One year after finally winning his first green jacket, McIlroy is playing this Masters without the career-pressure that used to follow every trip down Magnolia Lane, and Yahoo described him as looking freer around Augusta than in past runs. (sports.yahoo.com) If he finishes the job on Sunday, McIlroy would become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. For now, the tournament has a simple shape: 36 holes left, one man at 12-under, and everyone else starting Saturday already six shots late. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com)