The omens did not look good for Rory McIlroy as he looked to get his bid for the career grand slam back on track on a damp day two of the 83rd Masters. McIlroy struggled to an opening 73 at Augusta National on Thursday, getting under par for the first time with birdies on the 13th, 15th and 16th, only to bogey the last two holes. 27 of the last 28 Masters champions were inside the top-10 after the 2nd round. McIlroy headed straight to the putting green following his round after struggling to read putts on the slower surfaces, saying: “I made five birdies, that wasn’t the problem. “And I’m making mistakes from pretty simple positions, just off the side of the green on 17 and 18 being prime examples of that.” Rory McIlroy faces an uphill battle to win a first Masters title.

Source: Irish Examiner April 12, 2019 13:52 UTC