There was the stare, the club swivel, the nod and the walk.
It was all there.
Unfortunately for Rory McIlroy, his shot was
too good.
The Northern Irishman was in top form at Augusta National in his second round and he had to be on a day when the course bit many top golfers in the rear.
Overnight leader Charley Hoffman carded a 75, to drop back to -4, while Shane Lowry dropped back to +7 after a rough 79. McIlroy finished on +1 after a 73 but it could have been so, so much better.
Having hit the turn at even par - three birdies, three bogeys and three pars - McIlroy had a more sedate time of it on the way back. He birdied 17 and was looking to go to -1 on 18 after a booming drive off the tee.
McIlroy was left with 104 yards to the front of the green and was able to use a pitching wedge for his approach. The idea was to loft one up just beyond the flag and have the hill gently bring it back.
That was the idea.
McIlroy was happy with his approach, as was Nick Faldo on eir Sport [and US television] commentary. As the four-time Major winner walked after his shot, howls could be heard from the galleries around the green.
McIlroy's approach was so good that it turned out pinging the flag-stick and bouncing back off the green. As Butch Harmon [over on Sky Sports] exclaimed:
"Oooiiiiiiii, oh. That's just plain unlucky."
https://twitter.com/SkySportsGolf/status/850436274745769984
It ended up 40 yards away and McIlroy took three further shots to get rid of the ball.
https://twitter.com/jlivi2/status/850435210269392896
A birdie chance turned into a plain unfortunate bogey. Golf, like life, can be cruel sometimes.
McIlroy's attitude following his round of 73 was pure class, though:
https://twitter.com/Golfing_Weekly/status/850439137173929985
That's the boy.
