McIlroy still in the mix

Rory McIlroy believes he is still in contention for the Masters after a mixed couple of rounds in Augusta left him seven shots back from the lead (McIlroy – 45/1 Outright Winner).

McIlroy is searching for the Masters to complete a career grand slam of majors but at one or two points on Friday it looked as if he was not going to be staying in Augusta for the weekend.

Thankfully for the 29-year-old he was able to post a one-under-par 71 to go with his opening 73 to sit on even-par and start the weekend seven shots behind the leaders with five men sharing the top spot in Georgia.

At one point in the afternoon, it was looking as if McIlroy would struggle to make the cut but he managed to play the final four holes in one-under par to ensure he is still in with a chance of grabbing that elusive Green Jacket.

“I’m happy to be where I’m at,” he said. “So I played the last four in one-under to sort of be safe for the weekend, I guess.

“Staring bogey in the face at 15 and thinking I have to play the last three at even par just to make the cut – to be here on the weekend and only be seven back, I’m actually pretty pleased.”

A mixed round for the four-time major winner was summed up by a bogey at the par-5 second which he then followed with an eagle at the next par-5, the eighth, his high point for the day (McIlroy – 5/4 Top GB and Ireland player).

“Eagle on eight was fantastic. That got me going,” McIlroy added. “I had a great putt on nine, I don’t know how that didn’t go in.

“Got up and down on 10 and then the hooter blew on 11 and that sort of stopped any of the momentum so I just had to try to pick it up a little from there.”

Odds subject to change