Rory McIlroy – ‘Augusta owes me’

• ‘I feel Augusta owes me something’
• Shoots 71, sits one back of Spieth
• Says he’ll concentrate on himself tomorrow

Rory McIlroy says Augusta National “owes” him something – and he plans on getting it this weekend.

Speaking to RTE, the Northern Irishman said his past history with the Masters has given him the attitude to go out and get a Green Jacket, something he should have done already in his blistering career.

“I sort of feel that Augusta owes me something and I have come with that attitude,” said McIlroy, who played the last six holes in three-under-par.

“I have come here to get something that I should have had a long time ago. You need to be so focussed and in control of your emotions here. It’s about not getting fazed and mentally I have been good the last couple of days. I need to keep that going for the next two days.”

With Jordan Spieth shooting a surprising three-over 75, it means Spieth and McIlroy, the world No.2 and No.3, will play together in today’s third round.

That prospect, says McIlroy, will give the tournament some “buzz”.

“It would add a lot of excitement and buzz and atmosphere to the tournament obviously. I’ve said this from the start, I’ve been concentrating on myself out there. I’ve only got the mental capacity to focus on me right now, especially how tough it is out there. Just focusing on myself, battling and grinding and digging deep when I need to. I think I’m going to have to do that again tomorrow regardless of who I play with. Yeah, it would be great for the tournament and create a lot of buzz, but I just need to focus on myself and make sure that I play another solid round of golf.”

He then added: “I really need to focus on me and focus on everything I need to do well to hopefully be sitting up here on Sunday with one of those on .”

Rory McIlroy switched to a cack-handed putting grip in the last few weeks, a dangerous move according to some considering the speed of Augusta’s greens. But the move has not fazed him.

“It’s feeling good. I changed for a reason. I felt like it was better for me. I felt like it was a more consistent roll. I’ve probably missed a couple of putts that I should have made this week, but I’ve held at least one or two that were bonuses that I maybe mightn’t have made on another day. But it feels good. I feel like it’s more consistent.”

Rory McIlroy – ‘Room for improvement’

He added: “I still feel like there’s room for improvement, but it’s definitely trending in the right direction.”

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered