World No. 2 Rory McIlroy sent his flagging confidence soaring with an eagle midway through his round on day two of the Masters.
McIlroy played a 3-wood shot into the eighth green, bouncing his golf ball off the bank guarding the green and with the ball coming to rest just three feet from the flag.
The eagle earned the 22-year old a pair of crystal goblets in an eventual round of 70 to lift the struggling Northern Ireland into a surprise tie for eighth place in his fifth Masters showing.
“I was surprised to see where my shot finished at eight as you’re looking to get a chip shot that close, so it was nice to get up there and see that ball pretty close to the hole,” he said.
Rory McIlroy sends his flagging confidence soaring after an 8th hole eagle. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
However it had been an uncomfortable start for McIlroy who stood on the first tee in pouring rain before then three-putting the first hole for bogey.
He then dropped a further shot at the third to be two over par but got back to level with the eagle at ‘Yellow Jasmine’.
McIlroy then played the back nine in two under with three birdies and a 16th hole bogey.
He walked from the course at around 3pm local time in bright sunshine and then only four shots from the lead in the season’s first Major.
“There was big improvement in my putting from last night to today has been a big thing,” he said.
“I’m committing to my lines a lot better. I think what pleased me today was just not letting it get away from me.
“So to be two over through three holes and having par putts on the next four from outside six feet and being able to turn in even par was something I was very proud of today.
“So I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable with my game, I’m happy with this position going into the weekend, and the conditions don’t look to be getting much easier out there, so it will be nice to have a nice afternoon and look forward to tomorrow. “
