AUGUSTA, Ga. – As the wind began to calm down ever so slightly, Rory McIlroy started running downhill in lockstep with the curvatures of Augusta National. The Northern Irishman who limped his way to the finish line just under 24 hours prior was bounding about as if nothing had occurred. The patrons adopted him as one of their own; despite a decade since his last major, McIlroy made them believe he would soon secure his place in history.

It began with a promising start. After a poor Thursday evening marked by double bogeys that moved him from 4 under to even par, he made amends with a new story on Friday.

“I don’t think I proved anything,” McIlroy commented after his remarkable 6-under 66, featuring an eagle and three birdies. “I just backed up the belief that I have in myself … I’ve been really proud of my resilience throughout my career.”

McIlroy’s journey included a brilliant iron shot to the 10th green, showcasing a blend of skill and determination during his second nine. After several great shots, he encountered a challenging position on hole 13 but maintained his composure.

As of Friday, even with the playful competition from leader Justin Rose, McIlroy inched closer with each stroke, expressing confidence about his game and looking towards the weekend with optimism.

Overall, Friday’s performance was a strong statement from McIlroy, reaffirming his legacy in the sport and reigniting hope for his long-awaited Masters title.